Research Opportunity: Improve Your Manual Wheelchair Skills Through Remote Peer Coaching
University of Pittsburgh researchers seek manual wheelchair users with SCI for remote skills training study. Receive peer coaching, practice videos, and compensation while learning from home.
Takes just 5 minutes to see if you qualify
About This Research Opportunity
The University of Pittsburgh's Rehab Neural Engineering Labs is conducting a groundbreaking study to help manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries learn and improve their wheelchair skills through remote peer coaching. This National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) funded study will enroll up to 120 participants nationwide.
This training program connects you with experienced peer coaches—manual wheelchair users who have spinal cord injuries themselves—to help you build confidence and capability in navigating your daily environment. All training occurs remotely through video sessions, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your own home.
Why Participate?
- Learn from peer coaches who understand your experience
- Practice skills safely with your own spotter
- Access professional training videos anytime
- Receive up to $200 in compensation
- No travel required—train from home
- Help advance SCI rehabilitation research
Study Leadership and Team
Principal Investigator
Dr. Lynn Worobey, PhD, DPT, ATP
Rehab Neural Engineering Labs
University of Pittsburgh
412-383-1409
lynn.worobey@pitt.edu
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Co-Investigators
Michael Boninger, MD • Marshall Tempest, BS • Lauren Malacarne, PT, DPT • Elizabeth Stanley, PT, DPT • Ian Smith, MS • Debbie Harrington, BS • Elizabeth Dunn, MS • Stacy Eckstein, BS • Olivia Aumiller, BS
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility Requirements
To join this study, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Eligibility Criteria
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Have a non-progressive spinal cord injury
- Can speak and read English
- Reside in the community (not in a skilled nursing facility)
- Independently use a manual wheelchair for at least 50% of your mobility
- Have access to an internet-ready device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) with video capability
- Have someone available to act as a spotter while practicing skills
- Are interested in learning at least 5 of the 16 skills included in the training program
Skills You Can Learn
The training program covers 16 practical wheelchair skills that can improve your independence and confidence in daily life:
Available Skills Training
| Skill Category | Specific Skills |
|---|---|
| Daily Navigation | Opening/closing doors • Picking up objects from floor • Getting over gaps • Getting over thresholds |
| Curb Management | Ascending low curbs • Descending low curbs • Ascending high curbs • Descending high curbs |
| Advanced Skills | Performing stationary wheelies • Ascending steep inclines • Descending steep inclines |
| Stairs | Ascending stairs • Descending stairs |
| Transfers | Uneven transfers • Floor to chair transfers |
| Equipment | Folding and unfolding wheelchair |
Ready to Build Your Skills?
Join 120 participants nationwide in this groundbreaking remote training program.
Start Your EnrollmentWhat Does Participation Involve?
Initial Assessment
After enrolling, you'll complete baseline questionnaires online to help us understand your current skill level and goals. Due to the limited number of coaches available, participants are randomly assigned to receive training either immediately or after a 6-month delay. Both groups receive the same comprehensive training program.
Training Program Details
Duration
6 weeks of weekly coaching sessions, plus 2 makeup sessions if needed
Format
Virtual one-on-one sessions via Zoom with your peer coach
Resources
24/7 access to video library of training materials and techniques
Flexibility
Schedule sessions at times that work for you and your coach
During your first session, you'll work with your coach to set personalized goals based on the skills you want to develop. Each weekly session includes discussion of your progress, challenges, and practice strategies. You can upload videos of your skill practice for your coach to review and provide feedback—particularly helpful for skills like curb or stair navigation that may be difficult to demonstrate during live sessions.
Follow-Up Requirements
Whether you receive training immediately or after the 6-month delay, you'll complete follow-up questionnaires at 2, 6, 8, and 12 months after enrollment. These surveys help us understand the long-term impact of the training and arrive via email links for easy completion.
We'll also ask you to provide contact information for a family member or friend we can reach if we're unable to contact you through your preferred method.
Compensation for Participation
You'll Receive Up to $200
Total Possible Compensation: $200
Understanding the Risks and Benefits
Potential Risks
This training involves minimal risks, and we take all necessary precautions to protect your safety and privacy:
- Confidentiality: Your data is protected with secure storage, access controls, and unique study IDs instead of names
- Fatigue: You can complete questionnaires at your own pace with breaks as needed
- Fall risk: Required spotter presence during practice minimizes this inherent risk of wheelchair skills training
- Medical care: Emergency treatment for study-related injuries is provided through UPMC hospitals
Potential Benefits
While individual results vary, participants may experience:
- Improved wheelchair navigation skills for daily use
- Increased independence in community settings
- Greater confidence in challenging situations
- Connection with experienced peer mentors
- Contribution to advancing SCI rehabilitation knowledge
Your Rights as a Participant
Voluntary Participation
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You may:
- Choose whether or not to participate without affecting your relationship with the University of Pittsburgh
- Withdraw from the study at any time without consequences
- Skip questions you prefer not to answer
- Have your questions answered before, during, and after participation
If you withdraw, data collected up to that point will be retained for analysis unless you specifically request its removal.
Questions or Concerns?
Contact the Human Subjects Protection Advocate of the IRB Office, University of Pittsburgh at 1-866-212-2668 to discuss problems, concerns, questions, obtain information, offer input, or discuss situations that occurred during your participation.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Data Protection
All data stored on secure servers with access limited to authorized study personnel
Identity Protection
Your name replaced with unique study ID; linking file password-protected
Limited Access
Only required oversight bodies (IRB, NIDILRR) may review data for monitoring purposes
Publication Privacy
You will never be identified in any publications or presentations from this study
Future Research
De-identified data may be shared for future research without additional consent
Legal Protection
Information released only if required by court order (extremely rare)
Ready to Join?
Check Eligibility
Review the requirements above to ensure you qualify for participation
Complete Survey
Fill out the brief enrollment survey to provide your information
Start Training
Begin your journey to improved wheelchair skills with peer coaching
Join This Important Research Study
Help us understand how remote peer coaching can improve wheelchair skills training while building your own capabilities and confidence.
Questions? Contact Dr. Lynn Worobey at 412-383-1409 or lynn.worobey@pitt.edu
