The Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Research Department at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia places special emphasis on teamwork. The staff is made up of a diverse group of healthcare professionals. The team believes that the eclectic mix enhances their efficiency as each member is able to view research topics in a unique way. The disciplines that make up the team are medicine, nursing, biology, exercise physiology, sports medicine, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy and psychology. On any given day, different combinations of the staff join together performing every aspect of spinal cord injury (SCI) research including recruiting subjects, designing and administering research protocols, collecting and analyzing data, preparing IRB and grant proposals, writing manuscripts and presenting findings.
The team is led by David Gater, MD, PhD, Chief of the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, and a world renowned researcher and lecturer. Under his leadership the team focuses on everything from improving functional mobility to reducing the risk of secondary morbidities associated with SCI. An area of focus among the team that is of relevance to all rehabilitation clinician’s is how neuromuscular training can evoke cellular, metabolic and cardiovascular adaptations. One area of research that may have particular interest to the kinesiotherapy community is the effects of aging and physical activity on individuals with SCI. Due to factors related to SCI, problems generally associated with aging such as increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, decreased bone density, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, increased risk of diabetes and reduced independence affect those with SCI much earlier in life. The severity of these effects, reasons behind them, and their amelioration are just a few of the topics being researched by the team.
Ashraf Gorgey, MPT, PhD, FACSM is studying body composition changes with particular interest in intra-muscular fat and visceral fat and their association with fat lipid and glucose blood profiles. Dr. Gorgey is also studying how these factors are affected by evoked muscular contraction resistance training. David Dolbow, DPT, PhD, RKT is studying the long term effects of functional electrical stimulation cycling on older adults with SCI. Specifically, effects on bone mineral density, fat mass, lean mass, energy expenditure, muscle spasticity, seat pressure and quality of life. Christopher Harnish, a student researcher (doctoral candidate in Exercise Physiology at Virginia Commonwealth University) is studying the effects of high intensity exercise on cardiovascular and muscular fitness of older adults with SCI. The research team has also recently teamed up with Sportable Inc. (Richmond based adapted sports and recreation company) and the Virginia Boat Club in introducing an adapted rowing program for persons with SCI. This program introduces rowing to individuals with SCI as an exercise program and a recreational sport. The program begins in the McGuire Exercise Physiology Laboratory using functional electrical stimulation to activate and condition paralyzed legs while simultaneously utilizing volitional exercise with the arms. Participants then graduate to rowing in the community on the James River which runs through the city of Richmond. Participants of all ages have shown interest in the joint venture.
Other members of the research team are Jewel Moore, BS, RN and Research Coordinator. In addition to regular research duties, Ms. Moore ensures that all studies meet IRB requirements and that they proceed efficiently and ethically. Jonathan Daniels, BS, Sports Medicine Specialist and Coordinator of the Exercise Physiology, Body Composition and Locomotor Laboratories is in charge of all testing procedures in these and other laboratories utilized by the research staff. Allison Keeley, BS, Research Assistant contributes to the team through her past work experience in regulatory positions in other research centers in industry and the military. Lance Goetz, MD with specializations in PM&R and SCI combines the duties of medical practice and research in SCI and Scott McDonald, PhD, Neuropsychologist is involved with studying the psychological aspects of SCI.
The Richmond SCI Research Team takes pride in accepting two recent honors. The first is being recognized
as the SCI Research Team of the Year by the Virginia SCI Association and the second is selection by the AKTA conference committee as presenters at the 2011 AKTA National Conference in Orlando, FL. The team is grateful and excited about both of these honors and looks forward to seeing many of you in Orlando.
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