Understanding access to healthcare and telehealth for individuals with hand spasticity
Official title: Identifying healthcare and telehealth access for people with hand spasticity
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10930867 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with hand spasticity can get the healthcare and support they need, especially with the rise of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it aims to understand their challenges with technology so we can find better ways to help them live more independently and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $77,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HD112587-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930867 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who experience hand spasticity due to neurological conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hand spasticity or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individuals with hand spasticity can access healthcare and telehealth services, especially in the context of changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on the challenges faced by these individuals in using technology for health management and social interaction due to their condition. The study aims to identify the rehabilitation needs of this population to inform future interventions that can enhance their independence and quality of life. By exploring the impact of spasticity on daily activities and technology use, the research seeks to provide insights that can lead to better support systems for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare access and support for individuals with hand spasticity, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While telehealth has been widely adopted, this specific focus on hand spasticity and its unique challenges is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhimani, Rozina — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Bhimani, Rozina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Wearable exoskeleton that provides on-demand leg stretching for people with spasticity
This project offers a wearable robotic device that provides on-demand leg stretching to help people with spasticity from spinal cord injury or brain injury reduce spasms and improve movement.
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This study tests a non-invasive spinal stimulation plus treadmill training to reduce spasticity and improve walking in children with cerebral palsy.
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Shockwave therapy to help reduce spasticity after spinal cord injury
A randomized, sham-controlled trial will test whether extracorporeal shockwave therapy can lessen muscle tightness in people with spinal cord injuries.
-
Cerebellum-targeted deep brain stimulation for severe movement problems and spasticity in cerebral palsy
This project tests whether implanted electrodes that stimulate a cerebellar motor area can reduce severe involuntary movements and muscle tightness in children and young adults with cerebral palsy.
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Non‑invasive spinal stimulation to reduce spasms, pain, and improve movement after spinal cord injury
This project uses gentle electrical pulses over the skin of the spine to reduce muscle spasms, ease neuropathic pain, and help movement for people with spinal cord injury.
-
Using non-invasive stimulation to reduce spasticity and improve movement after spinal cord injury
This study is looking at how gentle spinal cord stimulation can help people with spinal cord injuries feel less stiffness and regain better movement, making it a friendly option for improving recovery.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.