CHDR Projects

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Spinal Cord Injury: Promoting Health and Preventing Complications through Exercise
Funding: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), US Department of Education
Funding Period: Dec. 2003 - November 2008
NRH-CHDR Participants: Thilo Kroll (co-Principal Investigator and Mel Neri , Project Coordinator).

The RRTC is hosting 5 research and 4 training projects to determine risk factors for secondary conditions in people with SCI, promote exercise as a means to prevent these conditions, enhance consumer and provider knowledge about secondary prevention, and on expand peer-to-peer programs to improve prevention and exercise efforts.

Primary Prevention for People with Physical Disabilities
Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Funding Period: August 2003 – July 2006
NRH-CHDR Participants: Gwyn Jones (co-Principal Investigator) and Thilo Kroll (co-Principal Investigator)

This project will develop, evaluate, and disseminate health promotion materials for people with disabilities. Project SHIELD (Strategies and Health Interventions to Enhance Life with Disability) is a collaborative effort with colleagues at the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, the Western University of Health Sciences, Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions in California, and DisabilityGuide in Maryland. This Program uses a community-based participatory action approach to determine the need for primary prevention services among people with physical disabilities in Northern Virginia, and to develop effective strategies including a Prevention Resource Kit to enhance knowledge among consumers and providers about prevention issues.

Medicaid Quality Indicators for People with Disabilities
Funding: National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Principal
Funding Period: July 2003 - June 2008
NRH-CHDR Participants: Sue Palsbo, PhD (Principal investigator); Penny Anderson (project coordinator).

This 5-year project is collaborating with the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care to develop quality measures and report cards for adults with disabilities. Study components include: refining a computer algorithm to identify people with disabilities; exploring preferred reporting formats; testing a satisfaction survey and HEDIS-measures for people with disabilities; addressing small sample size and small number statistical issues; addressing item response scaling. Plans include pilot testing a report card for the District of Columbia Medicaid program.

Effectiveness Measures for Tele-rehabilitation
Funding: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Health e-Technologies Initiative”
Funding Period: September 2003-August 2004
NRH-CHDR Participants: Sue Palsbo (Principal Investigator)

Dr. Palsbo is coordinating a multi-institution, multi-organizational collaboration of 3 free-standing rehabilitation hospitals and two professional associations to measure the equivalence of several physical therapy and speech therapy batteries between face-to-face and televideo administration for adults with stroke.

Cost Analysis of Tele-rehabilitation
Funding: National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research; Rehabilitation and Engineering Research Center for Telerehabilitation
Funding Period: May 1999 – Sept 2004
NRH-CHDR Participants: Sue Palsbo (Investigator).

This project is a collaborative effort between the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Catholic University, and the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis. Under the leadership of Mike Rosen, PhD at NRH Rehabilitation Engineering, Dr. Palsbo is the lead investigator for an analysis of public and private sector reimbursement for telerehabilitation.

Medicaid Managed Care Best Practices: Adults with Disabilities
Funding: Center for Health Care Strategies.
Funding Period: Sept 2003-August 2004
NRH-CHDR Participants: Sue Palsbo (Principal Investigator); Penny Anderson (Investigator).

This study is using in-depth interviews and complexity analysis to identify determinants of successful program initiation and sustainability. Seven programs serving different adult populations with different types of disabilities will be reviewed. The analytical framework is based on organizational theory.

Evaluation of a Managed Care Program for Adults with Physical Disabilities
Funding: State of Minnesota; AXIS Healthcare; Center for Health Care Strategies
Funding Period: August 2001- December 2004
NRH-CHDR Participants: Sue Palsbo (Principal Investigator); Thilo Kroll and Pei-shu Ho (Investigators); Penny Anderson Project Coordinator).

This is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, multi-methods program evaluation. We developed and validated a new longitudinal survey instrument to measure self direction and quality of care from the perspective of the people receiving that care before and during enrollment. We are conducting focus groups and interviews. We are using logistic regression and instrumental variable analysis to measure the impact of case management within a care coordination program on utilization and outcomes.

Functional Capacity Assessment
Funding: Intramural
Funding Period: June 2003-May 2004
NRH-CHDR Participants: Pei-Shu Ho and Sue Palsbo (Co-investigators)

This study was commissioned by the National Rehabilitation Hospital outpatient clinics to validate their Functional Capacity Assessment tool.