SCI RAC glossary
Breakthrough Therapy Designation – a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant endpoint(s). (See Module 1, Video 1)
Research advocate – a person who serves as a link between patients and scientific researchers. They bring a patient perspective on research activities to scientific advisory boards and committees. (See Module 1, Video 1)
Terms related to drug and device R&D and approval
Accelerated approval – an approval pathway in the U.S. for drugs intended to treat serious conditions that have no approved alternatives, in which drugs can be approved after only Phase I or Phase II studies if the studies show the drug is safe and reasonably likely to be effective. See also conditional approval. (See Module 2, Video 6)
Assays – a quantitative determination of the amount of a given substance in a particular sample. (See Module 2, Video 8)
Basic research – the foundation of medical discovery. Through it, key information about the fundamental biological, molecular, and chemical processes of life is learned. (See Module 2, Video 8)
Bias – deviation from the truth, causing distorted results and wrong conclusions. Can occur at any phase of your research, including during data collection, data analysis, interpretation, or publication. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Biologic – a drug made of molecules that are produced by a living organism, e.g., antibodies and other proteins. (See Module 2, Video 2)
BLA, Biologics License Application – the application a drug sponsor submits to FDA to seek approval of a drug candidate that is a biologic. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Blinding, blinded trial – a type of study in which the patients (single-blinded) or the patients and their doctors (double-blinded) do not know which drug or treatment is being given. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Class I devices – medical devices that have the simplest design and almost no likelihood of causing an injury or illness from their use. (See Module 2, Video 5)
Class II devices – medical devices with more complex designs, whose use presents minimal risk of causing injury or illness. (See Module 2, Video 5)
Class III devices – very complex medical devices that are intended to support or sustain human life and are therefore capable of posing substantial risks. (See Module 2, Video 5)
Clinical trial – research studies that test whether drugs are safe and how they work in people who are either healthy volunteers or patients. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Conditional approval – an approval pathway in Europe for drugs intended to treat serious conditions that have no approved alternatives, in which drugs can be approved after only Phase I or Phase II studies if the studies show the drug is safe and reasonably likely to be effective. See also accelerated approval. (See Module 2, Video 6)
Controls, controlled trials – an experiment or observation designed to minimize the effects of variables other than the independent variable (i.e., confounding variables). This increases the reliability of the results, often through a comparison between control measurements and the other measurements. (See Module 2, Video 7)
CRO, Contract Research Organization – a company that specializes in conducting research studies, including clinical trials, on behalf of clients, including drug and device sponsors. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Discovery – the earliest stage of drug R&D, when researchers identify molecules that have chemical and biological properties that could treat a health condition. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Dose – a quantity of a medicine or drug taken or recommended to be taken at a particular time. (See Module, Video 2)
Drug sponsor – the developer of a drug, usually but not always a pharmaceutical company. (See Module 2, Video 3)
Drug Candidate – a compound (small molecule, antibody, etc.) with strong therapeutic potential and whose activity and specificity have been optimized. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Drug Development Pathway – the process of bringing a new drug molecule into clinical practice. In its broadest definition this encompasses all steps from the basic research process of finding a suitable molecular target to supporting the commercial launch of the drug. (See Module 2, Video 2)
DSMB, Data Safety Monitoring Board – a scientific committee that monitors data from an ongoing clinical trial to determine whether the study should continue. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Efficacy – defined as the ability to do what is defined as desired or to be effective at producing a result. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Endpoint – a measure of efficacy in a research study. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Exclusion – features of the potential study participants who meet the inclusion criteria but present with additional characteristics that could interfere with the success of the study or increase their risk for an unfavorable outcome. (See Module 2, Video 7)
FDA, Food and Drug Administration – the U.S. regulator that oversees clinical testing and drug approvals. (See Module 2, Video 3)
Feasibility – an assessment of the practicality of a project or system. Aims to objectively and rationally uncover the strengths and weaknesses of an existing proposed study to achieve the prospect for success. (See Module 2, Video 5)
General controls — the minimum regulatory requirements for medical devices, which include device manufacturing methods, product quality, accurate labeling, and registration with regulatory authorities. (See Module 2, Video 5)
Grant – an award, usually financial, given by one entity (typically a company, foundation, or government) to an individual or a company to facilitate a goal or incentivize performance. (See Module 2, Video 8)
Humanitarian Device Exemption – an approval process provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration allowing a medical device to be marketed without requiring evidence of effectiveness. (See Module 2, Video 6)
IDE, Investigational Device Exemption – an application submitted to regulators for approval to conduct clinical trials of a medical device. (See Module X, Video Y)
Inclusion – key features of the target population that the investigators will use to answer their research question. (See Module 2, Video 7)
IND, Investigational New Drug – the application a drug sponsor submits to FDA to seek permission to begin clinical studies in people. (See Module X, Video Y)
Informed consent – the practice of giving a potential volunteer all the facts about a clinical trial and getting their consent to participate before they join the study. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Investigator – a medical professional who is responsible for interacting with and caring for the people who volunteer to participate in trials. (See Module 2, Video 7)
IRB, Institutional Review Board – a committee of doctors, statisticians, and community members who review clinical trial protocols to ensure they are medically, ethically, and legally acceptable. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Label – a medication package insert approved by FDA that describes the drug, how it is used, how it works, and what is known about its safety and efficacy. (See Module 2, Video 4)
Metabolize, metabolism – sum of the chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism and that provide energy for vital processes and for synthesizing new organic material. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Model – a cell line, tissue sample, or animal used to study disease biology or screen drug candidates. (See Module 2, Video 5)
NDA, New Drug Application – the application a drug sponsor submits to FDA to seek approval of drug candidate that is a small molecule. (See Module X, Video Y)
Novel – describe research that has identified phenomena or developed techniques/materials that haven’t been previously reported in the literature. (See Module 2, Video 8)
Orphan indication, orphan disease – a rare health condition, defined by most countries as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. (See Module X, Video Y)
Orphan drug designation – a regulatory designation that gives financial incentives to drug sponsors that develop drugs to treat an orphan disease. (See Module 2, Video 6)
Patent – A legal document that gives inventors control over how their inventions — including devices, machines, materials, processes and substances — are made, used and sold for a set period of time. (See Module 2, Video 3)
Pivotal study – clinical study seeking to demonstrate the efficiency of a new drug in order to obtain its marketing approval by regulatory authorities (i.e. FDA). (See Module 2, Video 5)
Phase 1 – tests the safety, side effects, best dose, and timing of a new treatment. It may also test the best way to give a new treatment (for example, by mouth, infusion into a vein, or injection) and how the treatment affects the body. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Phase 2 – researchers administer the drug to a larger group of patients (typically up to a few hundred) with the disease or condition for which the drug is being developed to initially assess its effectiveness and to further study its safety. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Phase 3 – trials that compare new treatments with the best currently available treatment (the standard treatment). (See Module 2, Video 2)
Phase 4 – clinical trial that studies the side effects caused over time by a new treatment after it has been approved and is on the market. (See Module 2, Video 9)
PK, pharmacokinetics – the way a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and eliminated by the body. (See Module X, Video Y)
Placebo – an inactive substance or other intervention that looks the same as, and is given the same way as, an active drug or treatment being tested. (See Module 2, Video 7)
PMA, Premarket Approval – an application for FDA approval of medical devices that require clinical testing, including the highest-risk Class II medical devices, plus all Class III devices. (See Module 2, Video 5)
Preclinical research – experiments that show how the candidates work in cell and animal “models” that simulate a human health condition. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Primary endpoint – the main endpoint that must be met in order to consider a trial a success; sometimes other endpoints cannot be analyzed unless the primary endpoint is met. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Protocol – a detailed written plan for a clinical trial that describes every aspect of study design and conduct. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Prototype – an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. (See Module 2, Video 5)
Post-Market Approval – studies and/or clinical trials to gather additional information about a product’s safety, efficacy or optimal use for drugs and medical devices that are already approved. (See Module 2, Video 9)
Randomization, randomized trial – a study design that randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group. (See Module 2, Video 7)
Regulator – a government organization that oversees clinical testing and drug approvals. (See Module 2, Video 3)
Revoke – officially taking back or cancelling some kind of right, status, or privilege that has already been given or approved. (See Module 2, Video 6)
R&D, research and development – the activity of discovering and testing a drug to show that it can treat disease. (See Module 2, Video 1)
Small molecule drug – a drug that is made of molecules that are chemical compound. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Target – a molecule or cell that a drug binds to or interacts with to stop, start or change a process that does not work correctly in a disease. (See Module 2, Video 8)
TPP, target product profile – a detailed description of the ideal characteristics of a new drug candidate that is used to guide R&D. (See Module 2, Video 4)
Toxicity – the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. (See Module 2, Video 2)
Translational Research – process of taking a discovery from the laboratory into the clinic, where it can ultimately help people. (See Module 2, Video 8)
510(k) pathway – an FDA approval pathway for medical devices that requires evidence that the new device is “substantially equivalent” in use, design, materials, labeling, and other characteristics, to an existing device, called a “predicate device.” (See Module 2, Video 5)
Terms related to spinal cord biology and research
Acute phase of SCI—begins immediately after the injury and can last days. Neurons and glial cells are physically injured and/or dying because of direct trauma. See also “subacute phase of SCI” and “chronic phase of SCI.” (See Module 5, Video 7)
ASIA Impairment Scale – is a standardized neurological examination used by the rehabilitation team to assess the sensory and motor levels which were affected by the spinal cord injury. The scale has five classification levels, ranging from complete loss of neural function in the affected area to completely normal. (See Module 5, Video 8)
AMPA – type of glutamate receptors whose activation results in the influx of sodium and potassium ions (See Module 7, Video 4)
Apoptosis – a process of programmed cell death that rids the body of diseased or damaged cells without triggering inflammation and other damaging processes. (See Module 7, Video 7)
Astrocytes—a star-shaped glial cell in the brain and spinal cord that provides nutrients to neurons, holds neurons in place, and participates in repairing damage after an injury. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Autonomic dysreflexia – a potentially dangerous and, in rare cases, lethal clinical syndrome that develops in individuals with spinal cord injury, resulting in high blood pressure. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Autonomic nervous system – a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal.
Axon—a fiber-shaped part of the neuron that carries electrical signals from the soma, or cell body, to the axon terminals. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Axon terminal—branch-like structures at the end of an axon that transmits the signal to the dendrites of the next neuron in the relay. (See Module 5, Video 4)
BMSC, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells – heterogeneous population of cells with the capacity for self-renewal.
Calpain – family of enzymes that regulate calcium in the body. (See Module 7, Video 7)
Carpal tunnel syndrome – a compression of one of the large nerves of your arm at the level of the wrist and this can cause numbness, tingling, a burning pain or weakness of your fingers as this nerve controls some of the motion of your hand.
Caspase – a family of protease enzymes playing essential roles in programmed cell death. (See Module 7, Video 7)
Ceiling effect – a limitation that places a maximum level of what can be achieved.
Cervical region— carry signals to and from the head, neck, diaphragm, shoulders, and parts of the arms, wrist and hand. The cervical region includes the seven vertebrae from C1 through C7, and eight nerves from C1 through C8. (See Module 5, Video 3)
Chronic phase of SCI—the final phase of secondary injury, which begins months after an SCI and continues indefinitely. See also “acute phase of SCI” and “subacute phase of SCI.” (See Module 5, Video 7)
CNS, central nervous system — includes the brain and spinal cord. The CNS controls what we think, how we feel, and what we do. (See Module 5, Video 1)
Clonus – muscular spasm involving repeated, often rhythmic, contractions. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Complete injury – occurs when a person loses all sensory and motor function below the level of the spinal cord injury. See also “incomplete injury”. (See Module 5, Video 8)
CSPGs, Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans— molecules that are released by astrocytes inside the glial scar and that inhibit the growth of axons inside the damaged area. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Cyst—the cavity that remains inside the glial scar after damaged tissues and cells have been broken down. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Dendrites – tree-like structures at the end of a neuron that receive chemical signals and transmit them toward the cell body, or soma. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Depolarization – a change within a cell, during which the cell undergoes a shift in electric charge distribution, resulting in less negative charge inside the cell compared to the outside.
Edema – swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body’s tissues.
Excitotoxicity—a phenomenon in which excess glutamate over-stimulates neurons, causing them to burst. (See Module 7, Video 4)
Free radical – are molecules that are unstable because they have unpaired electrons in their outer shell. Their instability causes them to react with other molecules as a way to “steal” an electron, which in turn causes those molecules to destabilize and react with other molecules in a chain reaction that leads to damage to cells and tissues. (See Module 7, Video 5)
G-CSF, Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor – a biologic drug that is approved as a treatment for neutropenia (or low neutrophil count) and currently another experimental immunomodulatory therapy for SCI. (See Module 7, Video 3)
Glial cells— include many different types of cells that have different jobs: Some glial cells surround neurons and hold them in place. Some glial cells supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons. There are special types of glial cells that fight infections and remove dead cells. Others help neurons transmit information by producing insulation that protects neurons and improves their ability to send electric signals. Some glial cells also produce chemicals that neurons need to communicate or eliminate chemicals that prevent neurons from communicating. The types of glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Glial scar—a scar formed by astrocytes that surrounds the site of spinal cord injury creating a physical barrier around the damaged area that separates healthy cells from injured ones. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Glutamate— a neurotransmitter that is required to transmit signals from one neuron to another. (See Module 7, Video 4)
Gray matter—in the spinal cord, the inner layer that contains neuronal cell bodies, where information is processed locally and transmitted between the central and peripheral nervous systems. When viewed as a cross section, the gray matter looks like a gray butterfly at the center of the spinal cord. See also “white matter.” (See Module 5, Video 4)
Hemorrhage – a profuse discharge of blood, as from a ruptured blood vessel.
Hypothermia – a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
Immunomodulation – manipulating immune cells so that they carry out their restorative functions but not their damaging inflammatory functions. (See Module 7, Video 3)
Impulse – an electrical signal that travels away from the soma through a fiber called the axon. (See Module 5, Video 4)
In vitro research – laboratory studies on cells or molecules outside the body. (See Module X, Video Y)
In vivo research – laboratory studies on living animals. (See Module X, Video Y)
Incomplete injury – some nerve signals can still be sent along the spinal cord to the brain, even from below the injury site. You may have some movement and sensation with an incomplete injury. See also “complete injury” (See Module 5, Video 3)
Inflammation – the immune system’s response to infection or damage. It is necessary to fight off bacteria and viruses, clear cellular debris, and promote wound healing following an injury. (See Module 7, Video 2)
IKT, Integrated knowledge translation – a model of collaborative research, where researchers work with knowledge users who identify a problem and have the authority to implement the research recommendations. (See Module 12, Video 5)
Lumbar region— nerves that exit from the segments of the spine in the lower back, which extends from L1 through L5, carry signals to and from the hips, thighs, groin, and lower abdomen. (See Module 5, Video 3)
Macrophage – specialized immune cells that enter the injured spinal cord from the blood stream, and remain in the injured cord for very long periods after an SCI. Their main job is to ingest dead cells, debris, and foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, and break them down safely in a process called “phagocytosis.” (Module 7, Video 3)
Metabolic disorder – a disorder is which something is wrong with the body’s metabolism — the ability to turn food into energy and get rid of waste. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Methylprednisolone – a potent steroid that reduces inflammation. (See Module 7, Video 8)
Microglia—a special type of macrophage acts as the main immune defense in the CNS. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Minocycline – a drug that is approved as an antibiotic, may tackle inflammation and several other biological processes that damage neurons in the aftermath of an SCI through mechanisms that are not yet understood and are not yet proven to work in SCI. (See Module 7, Video 3)
Mitochondria – tiny, complex organelles, or mini-organs, found inside almost all our cells. Their primary function is to produce the cell’s major source of energy, a molecule called “ATP.” (See Module 7, Video 6)
Motor neurons— send instructions to move from the CNS toward muscles and organs. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Motor root – carry information from the brain to the body. Also known as “ventral root”. (See Module 5, Video 2)
Muscle atrophy – loss of skeletal muscle mass.
Musculoskeletal – relating to the muscles and skeleton and including bones, joints, tendons, and muscles. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Myelin—a fatty coating around axons that provides electrical insulation and physical protection and support. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Myelination—the process of forming a myelin sheath around axons. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Nerve/neuron – relay information back and forth between the brain and body by transmitting electrical and chemical signals. (See Module 5, Video 2)
Nervous system – is a complex network that includes the brain, billions of nerves, and other cells within our bodies that work together to control and coordinate all of our thoughts, emotions, and movements. (See Module 5, Video 1)
Neural network—a set of neurons that work together by firing in a circuit. (See Module 5, Video 5)
Neural stem cells – multipotent cells which are able to self-renew and proliferate without limit, to produce progeny cells which terminally differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
Neural progenitor cells – the progenitor cells of the CNS that give rise to many, if not all, of the glial and neuronal cell types that populate the CNS.
Neurotoxin – synthetic or naturally occurring substances that damage, destroy, or impair the functioning of the central and/or peripheral nervous system.
Neuroplasticity – retrain neural circuits that remain intact to restore function during the chronic phase. (See Module X, Video Y)
Neuroprotection a treatment strategy that aims to protect the neurons and axons that survive the primary injury to the spinal cord, but may become damaged during the secondary injury. The strategy involves stopping or reversing the biological processes that cause continued damage in the days to weeks after the initial injury. (See Module 7)
Neurorepair – stimulate the growth of axons during the subacute or chronic phase of injury. (See Module X, Video Y)
Neuroreplacement – replacing lost and damaged cells with new ones during the subacute or chronic phase of SCI. (See Module X, Video Y)
Neurotransmitters—chemical messengers sent by one neuron to another through the synapse. (See Module 5, Video 5)
Neutropenia – refers to lower-than-normal levels of neutrophils in your blood. See also “neutrophil”. (See Module 7, Video 3)
Neutrophil – short-lived immune cells that act as the first line of defense against infectious pathogens. They clear debris through phagocytosis and play a major role in mounting an inflammatory response. (See Module 7, Video 3)
NMDA – type of glutamate receptor whose activation results in the influx of calcium ions in addition to the sodium and potassium ions. (See Module 7, Video 4)
Oligodendrocyte—a type of glial cell found only in the CNS, which forms a myelin sheath around the axons of neurons. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Osteoporosis – a bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, or when the quality or structure of bone changes.
Paraplegic – refers to the loss of movement and sensation in both legs and, sometimes, part of the lower abdomen. (See Module 12, Video 3)
PNS, peripheral nervous system— consists of neurons that branch out from the spinal cord and transmit information back and forth between our brain and our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, muscles and internal organs. (See Module 5, Video 3)
Phagocytosis – the process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle.
Pneumonia – an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or chemical irritants.
Post-synaptic neuron—a neuron that receives information from the synapse. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Pressure sores/ulcers – a wound to the skin and underlying tissues caused by prolonged compression or shearing of the tissues between the skeleton and an external surface such as a chair or bed. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Pre-synaptic neuron—a neuron that sends information into the synapse. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Primary injury – the physical injury to the spinal cord itself. See also “secondary injury”. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Processes – specific collection of molecular activities carried out, frequently in a highly controlled manner and a specified temporal sequence.
Protease – are enzymes that break down other proteins by cutting, or “cleaving” them. (See Module 7, Video 7)
Quadriplegia – refers to the loss of movement and sensation in all four limbs and, sometimes, parts of the chest, abdomen, and back. Also referred to as “tetraplegia”. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Receptor – a molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific effect in the cell.
Sacrum region—nerves that exit from the segments of the spine nearest the pelvis, which extends from S1 through S5, carry signals to and from the posterior thigh, most of the lower leg and foot, and part of the pelvis. (See Module 5, Video 3)
Schwann cells—a type of glial cell that myelinates neurons in the peripheral nervous system instead of in the CNS and can help damaged neurons regenerate their axons. (See Module 5, Video 6)
Secondary injury – a range of after-effects that cause further damage as the body responds to the primary injury. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Sensory neurons— send information about sensations toward the CNS. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Sensory root – carry information from the body to the brain. Also known as “dorsal root”. (See Module 5, Video 2)
Sepsis – a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues.
Soma—the cell body of a neuron, which functions as its headquarters. (See Module 5, Video 4).
Spasticity – a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain.
Spinal cord – the communication highway of the body; it connects the brain to the entire body to allow us to move and perceive our environment. (See Module 5, Video 2)
Spinal fluid – clear, colorless body fluid found within the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord of all vertebrates. (See Module 5, Video 2)
Spinal shock—a response to injury in which neurons in the spinal cord are stunned and stop signaling. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Steroid – are a man-made version of chemicals, known as hormones, that are made naturally in the human body. (See Module 7, Video 1)
Subacute phase of SCI— follows the acute phase and lasts for weeks. In this phase, injured and dying cells release substances that start a chain reaction of inflammation and cell death. See also “acute phase of SCI” and “chronic phase of SCI”. (See Module 5, Video 7)
Synapse—the small space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another, through which chemical signals are transmitted. (See Module 5, Video 5)
Tetraplegic – refers to the loss of movement and sensation in all four limbs and, sometimes, parts of the chest, abdomen, and back. Also referred to as “quadriplegia”. (See Module 12, Video 3)
Thoracic region— nerves that exit from the segments of the spine in the area of our ribs and carry signals to and from the hand, chest and abdomen. The thoracic region includes the twelve vertebrae and nerve roots T1 through T12. (See Module 5, Video 3)
Trauma – an injury, such as a wound, to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent.
Uncoupling protein – transporters, present in the mitochondrial inner membrane, that work to relieve the build-up of too much charge by creating pores in the mitochondria’s inner membrane that allow hydrogen ions to pass through without producing ATP. (See Module 7, Video 6)
White matter—in the spinal cord, the outer layer that contains axons that transmit signals. When viewed as a cross section, the white matter looks like a white oval. See also “gray matter”. (See Module 5, Video 4)
Terms related to quality of life research
Clinical endpoints – objective, quantitative measurements of clinical symptoms or other physical phenomena (Module 10, Video 4)
Patient-reported outcomes, PROs – questionnaires that ask participants to rate various aspects of their lives, such as how they feel physically, mentally, and emotionally, or how easily they can accomplish daily activities (Module 10, Video 2)
Terms related to getting started
Consumer Advisory Boards – A team of lived experience advisors who provide feedback, guidance and input. (Module 12, Video 2)
Focus Groups – Moderated and structured group discussions with a targeted group from the SCI Community. (Module 12, Video 2)
Grant reviewers – Review submitted SCI research grant proposals for funding bodies such as the Department of Defense or Craig H. Nielsen Foundation. (Module 12, Video 2)
In-depth interviews – Highly structured one-on-one interviews with targeted key opinion leaders. (Module 12, Video 2)
Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) Guiding Principles – a foundational tool with the potential to improve the relevance and impact of SCI research, mitigate tokenism, and to address this gap between discovery and the application of knowledge. (Module 12, Video 2)
Roundtable Discussions – Open brainstorming or exploratory sessions with a team of targeted stakeholders. (Module 12, Video 2)
Speaking engagements – Positioning the voice of advocacy in public platforms such as podium speaking positions, panel discussions, webinars/podcasts or other public forums. (Module 12, Video 2)
Study Surveys – Design, craft and distribute SCI community surveys to gain quantitative results. (Module 12, Video 2)