Almost everything we know about SCI has been learned in the last 20 years, and new discoveries are being made every day. Researchers in countries around the world are working tirelessly to find a cure for SCI and discover new treatments to reduce paralysis at the time of injury, develop more promising rehabilitation techniques, and minimize the effects of secondary complications. Below are some resources that will help you gain a better understanding of SCI research in Canada around the world, and provide you with information on how you can participate in promising research studies.

To find out more about how to get involved in clinical research studies, click here.

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence (SCIRE)

SCIRE is a web-based synopsis and critical review of existing scientific literature on a broad range of topics in SCI rehabilitation. With leadership from the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Rick Hansen Institute, SCIRE is the result of the combined efforts of expert scientists, clinicians, consumers and stakeholders across Canada. It is expected that the pre-appraised, synthesized research from SCIRE will translate into improved health for Canadians with SCI by increasing the accessibility of up-to-date, quality information to health care professionals, scientists, policy-makers, and individuals with SCI.  www.scireproject.com

The Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR)

The Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR) was launched in 2003 as a standardized national SCI database. The ultimate purpose of the Registry is to support translational research aimed at identifying evidence-based best practices, and to track the outcomes of newly implemented best practice guidelines. The Registry provides an efficient and effective SCI data retrieval and management reporting service, and supports multi-centre clinical research, as well as provincial, national, and international data exchange and collaboration between scientists and clinicians. www.rickhansenregistry.org

Other Clinical Studies

Clinicaltrials.gov is a US-based website providing information about current clinical trials and research studies around the world. It is important that you do your due diligence before participating in any research study. Click here for some background on what you should know before you consider participating in a clinical trial or research study.

ICORD (International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries) is an interdisciplinary research centre for the development of effective strategies to promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury. This unique initiative brings together spinal cord injury researchers from the Sciences, Medicine, Surgery, Rehabilitation, Engineering, Education, and community-based Humanities research. ICORD is working to facilitate the discovery and implementation of relevant solutions to improve functional recovery, mobility, community integration and quality of life for people with spinal cord injury. www.icord.org

Atlantic Mobility Action Project (The Mobility Project) is a multi-disciplinary research collaboration based in Atlantic Canada, led by spinal cord researchers at Dalhousie University. Working from the molecule to the clinic to the community, Mobility Project researchers are seeking and testing new ways to preserve function after spinal cord injury, to treat and prevent pain, to optimize mobility, and to help individuals with SCI get the most out of life. www.amap.ca

SCI Alberta is a website detailing SCI trials in Alberta. Researchers in Edmonton and Calgary are recruiting participants for studies on acute and rehabilitation interventions, as well as treatment of secondary complications. www.scialberta.ca