One of the Country’s Top Recipients of Funding for Rehabilitation-Related Research
The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is part of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh.
The University of Pittsburgh is ranked among the top 25 American Research Universities by the Center for Measuring University Performance.
The Department of PM&R is among the country’s top five recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health for rehabilitation-related research. The department provides access to research, clinical trials, and technology unavailable elsewhere in the region. This research has resulted in advancements in diagnostic mechanisms, treatments, and rehabilitation therapies.
Areas of Interest
Physicians and scientists at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute are partnering with other departments and laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University to find answers to questions such as:
- What happens to the brain after a traumatic injury?
- Can paralysis be manipulated after a stroke?
- Can repetitive motion injuries be prevented in wheelchair users?
- What are the mechanics of lower back pain and how does physical activity affect it?
Some topics of our current research initiatives include:
- Inner workings of the brain
- Mechanics of movement
- Robotic aids
- Neuroprosthetics
- Effects of gender on recovery after brain injury
- Role of stem cells in neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy
- Role of age and degenerative disk diseases
Volunteer for Clinical Research Trials
Research projects frequently need volunteers.
UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh list research projects on the Office of Clinical Research website. Select “Rehabilitation” in the study finder for research in this field.