Thermoregulation Program

STUDY TITLE: Development of a Novel Cooling Vest to Prevent Heat-Induced Dysfunction in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Principal investigator: John P. Handrakis, PT, DPT, Ed.D, NCS
PI Email: John.Handrakis@va.gov
PI Work: (718) 584-9000 ext. 5439

Study Research Coordinator(s)   Ian Paez
Email: Ian.Paez@va.gov
Work: (718)584-9000 ext. 1732  

DURATION

  • 1-2 visits (4 hours / visit  
  • Reimbursement $100/day

STUDY TITLE

Development of a Novel Cooling Vest to Prevent Heat-Induced Dysfunction in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury  

SUMMARY OF STUDY

  • Visit 1 (Uninjured volunteers): Your body’s temperature regulating mechanisms, heart rate and blood pressure, sweat rate, your comfort/cooling sensation will be assessed while wearing the cooling vest.  
  • Visit 2 (SCI ONLY): Similar testing to Visit 1 will be done in people with SCI.  
  • Visit 3 (SCI ONLY): Will be identical to Visit 2 but will not use any cooling vest. (Visits 2 and 3 are in a randomized order.)

INCLUSION CRITERIA

  • Chronic SCI at levels C3-T1 (or uninjured volunteer)
  • No acute illness
  • No high blood pressure
  • No heart or blood vessel disease
  • No untreated thyroid disease
  • No diabetes   
  • No smoking