Understanding Obesity and Pain After Spinal Cord Injury Through Preclinical, Qualitative, and Epidemiologic Research #107

TUE 1 NOV // 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Primary Content Focus: Spinal Cord Injury
Secondary Content Focus: Pain

Obesity and pain are two common phenomena after spinal cord injury (SCI); they are notorious for deleterious functioning and quality of life. This course will begin with the review of epidemiology of SCI, obesity, and pain. In the context of translational research, attendees will then be introduced to preclinical and qualitative research, particularly on how to evaluate the rigor of published studies, what to consider in the design and implementation of preclinical and qualitative research, what they mean to clinical practices, as well as the gaps in knowledge that could be filled by collaboration of clinicians and pre-clinical researchers.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify current trends in the epidemiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) and associated obesity and pain
Describe different research methods and their applications in studying obesity and pain after SCI
Assess the findings and rigor of preclinical, qualitative, and epidemiologic research
Discuss how the findings from preclinical, qualitative, and epidemiologic research can guide future research and inform clinical practices

KEY WORDS

Spinal cord injuries
Methodology
Obesity
Pain
Self-Management

FACULTY

Yuying Chen, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama and presently serves as the Director of the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. Dr. Chen completed her PM&R residency training in Taiwan and then received a Master of Public Health from Yale University and PhD in epidemiology from UAB. With the unique blend of clinical and research training, Dr. Chen has been very productive since she joined UAB PM&R in 1997 and gained international recognition for her research involving epidemiology, mortality, and secondary conditions after SCI including urologic complications, pressure ulcers, and obesity. Dr. Chen’s research has been continuously funded through the NIDILRR, NIH, Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation, and industries. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. She currently chairs the ACRM Spinal Cord Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group and the Sociodemographic data set of the International SCI Data Standards. She also serves on the Oversight Committee of the NINDS SCI Common Data Elements, International Spinal Cord Society Prevention Committee, as well as American Spinal Injury Association Research and Prevention Committees.

Candace L. Floyd, PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Floyd received her MS and PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University, completing her studies in 2000. She conducted her post-doctoral training in traumatic central nervous system injury research at the University of California, Davis from 2001-2004. In 2004, she became an assistant professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, Davis. In 2006, she joined the Civitan International Research Center and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as an assistant professor. She was promoted to associate professor, with tenure, in 2012 and was named the Director of Research for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Women’s Committee of Spain Rehabilitation Center Endowed Chair in Rehabilitation Neuroscience Research. Dr. Floyd frequently serves as a reviewer of neurotrauma manuscripts, including reviewing for the Journal of Neurotrauma. She reviews grant applications for the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Her research is supported by the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and private organizations including the National Football League. Notable awards include selection in 2005 as the “Hot Topic” at the International Symposium on Neuronal Regeneration, naming as the McNulty Civitan Scientist in 2007, nomination for Brain Injury Researcher of the Year in 2009, election as Secretary-Treasurer and then Vice President of the National Neurotrauma Society in 2011 and in 2012, respectively. She now serves as the President-elect of the National Neurotrauma Society.

Brian Dudgeon, PhD, OTR, FAOTA