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Recovery and Rehabilitation

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Recovery after a stroke can look differently for each person. We still have a lot to learn about recovery and rehabilitation after a stroke, especially for those with larger strokes and those in the chronic stages of stroke recovery. UTHealth Houston Stroke Institute’s Recovery and Rehabilitation program is made up of a multidisciplinary team that offers research opportunities and clinical evaluations.

Recovery and Rehabilitation Research

The Stroke Institute is running several studies to find better ways to help stroke patients recover. This research is really important because it can lead to treatments that improve stroke survivors' quality of life.

By studying how recovery works, scientists can develop more effective therapies and interventions tailored to each patient's needs. This can help stroke survivors regain their abilities and live more independently.

We are also exploring new approaches to address the wide range of challenges faced by stroke survivors, from physical impairments to cognitive problems. This offers hope for better recovery and long-term well-being for stroke patients.

If you're interested, you can check out the institute's current studies to see if any might be a good fit for you.

Recovery and Rehabilitation Studies

  • nTVNS in Chronic Stroke: Enrollment Completed

    Seeking participants in a six-week research study on rehabilitation using non-invasive stimulation, called "Feasibility of Trigeminal and Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Subjects with Chronic Upper Extremity Deficits after Stroke"

    We are examining the effectiveness of a novel medical device to mitigate the damage caused by stroke. In person appointments are held at the UTHealth Houston Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases at 6431 Fannin, 11th Floor.


    Contact:
    Emily Stevens, OTR
    Occupational Therapist | Research Coordinator
    (713) 500-7914
    [email protected] 


    You may be eligible if you are:
    Between 40 and 80 years old
    Have had a stroke 6 or more months ago
    Do not have any implanted metallic electronic device
    Do not have a history of seizures or migraines that is uncontrolled by medication


    Participation involves:
    18 sessions of outpatient rehabilitation therapy over the course of 6 weeks
    Medical screenings and assessments
    Electrical stimulation applied to the forehead and outer ears


    If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements, call or email a member of the study team:
    Emily Stevens, OTR
    Occupational Therapist | Research Coordinator
    (713) 500-7914
    [email protected] 

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  • SUPER Patients Needed: Enrollment Completed

    We are looking for participants for a clinical trial addressing arm weakness after a stroke. Participants will be involved in an intensive 3-week therapy program and will have multiple assessments over a 6 month timeframe.

    Meet the following criteria? Contact us!

    • Age: 18-80
    • At least 6 months post-stroke
    • Some movement in affected arm
    • Can tolerate 6 hrs therapy a day

    If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements, call or email a member of the study team:
    Emily Stevens, OTR
    Occupational Therapist | Research Coordinator
    (713) 500-7914
    [email protected] 

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Stroke Recovery Clinic

The stroke recovery clinic occurs once a month. In this clinic, our multidisciplinary team provides an extensive evaluation of a stroke survivor and offers recommendations and referrals for their recovery. To learn more about how you can participate, contact:

Emily Stevens, OTR, MOT, CSRS
Research Occupational Therapist | Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist | Lead, Motor Recovery Trials

(713) 500-7914
[email protected]


Recovery and Rehabilitation

 Deniz Dishman
PhD, CRNA, NSPM-C
Community Colleague | Nurse Anesthetist
 Mary Russell
DO, MS
Assistant Professor, Medical Director, TIRR Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands
 Sean Savitz
MD
Professor of Neurology and Frank M. Yatsu, M.D. Chair in Neurology; McGovern Medical School
Director, Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease
UTHealth Houston
 Tatiana Schnur
PhD
Professor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, Adjunct Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Houston, Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University
 Heather Smith
MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Speech-Language Pathologist | Research Coordinator
UTHealth Houston Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
 Emily Stevens
OTR, pOTD, MOT, CSRS
Research Occupational Therapist
Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist, Lead, Motor Recovery Trials
UTHealth Houston Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

AI Powered Mobile App

We have developed a mobile app that meticulously measures each patient’s prescribed rehab exercise, counting repetition, monitoring speed, and assessing quality with precision. Patients receive real-time instruction and feedback, ensuring each exercise is performed accurately and effectively. This seamless integration of technology fosters an enhanced recovery process, keeping both healthcare providers and patients in sync every step of the way.

The app is a collaborative effort between the Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics including:

  • Kaichen Tang
  • Mark B Jones
  • Jean C Rodriguez Valero
  • Emily A. Stevens, OTR, MOT, CSRS
  • Shayan Shams, PhD
  • Xiaoqian Jiang, PhD
  • Sean I Savitz, MD

Our aspiration is to make this transformative tool available on the iOS App Marketplace, extending its reach to countless individuals embarking on the stroke recovery journey. 


Utilizing The Power of AI

Additional Resources