Through basic, translational, and clinical research, NCMRR fosters development of scientific knowledge needed to enhance the health, productivity, independence, and quality of life of people with physical disabilities.
NCMRR supports research on the following topics: pathophysiology and management of chronically injured nervous and musculoskeletal systems, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and orthopedic conditions; repair and recovery of motor and cognitive function; functional plasticity, adaptation, and windows of opportunity for rehabilitative interventions; rehabilitative strategies involving pharmaceutical, stimulation, neuroengineering approaches, exercise, motor training, and behavioral modifications; pediatric rehabilitation; secondary conditions associated with chronic disabilities; improved diagnosis, assessment, and outcome measures; and development of orthotics, prosthetics, and other assistive technologies and devices.
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Learn more about the center's National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research, which meets twice a year to discuss NCMRR's portfolio and research directions.
Check out the NCMRR-led NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation (PDF 1.5 MB), which outlines the conduct, support, and coordination of medical rehabilitation research across NIH.
- Challenges, Innovation Competitions, and NICHD: NCMRR supports NICHD activities related to the America COMPETES Act to encourage innovation and improve U.S. competitiveness.
- COVID-19 in Underserved Populations: NCMRR helps NICHD in efforts to understand the cause of more pronounced disparities during the pandemic in outcomes and disproportionate effects among people with disabilities, including physical disabilities and movement problems.
- Limb Loss and Preservation Registry:
This national database, supported by NCMRR and the U.S. Department of Defense, is the first registry for people who have lost limbs. The registry will be vital for preventing limb loss, improving amputation surgeries, refining rehabilitation approaches, and guiding the development of devices for people with limb loss. - Medical Rehabilitation Research Resource Network (MR3 Network): With the support of NCMRR and several NIH institutes, this network builds research infrastructure in medical rehabilitation by providing investigators with access to expertise, courses and workshops, technologies, and other collaborative opportunities from allied disciplines such as neuroscience, engineering, applied behavior, and the social sciences.
- Neuroscience Research Support at NICHD: NCMRR plays a role in NICHD’s commitment to supporting research in the neurosciences, particularly as they affect developing systems and rehabilitation.
- NICHD Priorities for Dissemination and Implementation Research: Priorities include studies specific to the institute’s focus populations, including persons with disabilities.
- Opioid-Related Research Supported by NICHD: The institute supports multiple research activities designed to help understand how opioids affect its priority populations.
- Pain-Related Research: Understanding how to manage and treat pain is a central goal of NICHD research. NCMRR contributes to this goal through its research program areas and priorities.
- Theresa Cruz, Director
- Toyin Ajisafe, Health Scientist Administrator
Grant Categories: Rehabilitation devices and technology development; rehabilitation diagnostics and interventions - Joe Bonner, Health Scientist Administrator
Grant Categories: Adaptation and plasticity; rehabilitation diagnostics and interventions - Christopher Hughes, Program Analyst
- June Lee, Special Assistant to the NCMRR Director
- Sue Marden, Health Scientist Administrator
Grant Categories: Rehabilitation diagnostics and interventions; chronic symptom management in rehabilitation; rehabilitation health services research; environmental factors affecting rehabilitation - Ralph Nitkin, Health Scientist Administrator
Grant Categories: Rehabilitation training and career development; adaptation and plasticity - Maria Nurminskaya, Health Scientist Administrator
Grant Categories: Rehabilitation devices and technology development; rehabilitation diagnostics and interventions - Eliza Polk, Administrative Assistant
- Alicia Ross, Program Analyst
Learn about some organizations and other agencies that NCMRR works with to advance research and care.
Read the 2021 NIH-wide plan, which updates 2016 plan activities, themes, objectives, & collaboration.
Highlights
- Resources for Researchers with Disabilities: NIH, with input in part from NCMRR Director Theresa Cruz, has created a section of information and resources for researchers with disabilities in biomedical research who receive support from extramural awards.
- Access the NIH VideoCast recording of the pre-submission webinar, frequently asked questions (PDF 212 KB), and related presentation slides (PDF 467 KB) for RFA-HD-25-001: Medical Rehabilitation Research Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Ableism in Medicine and Clinical Research: In 2023, NCMRR sponsored this 2-day workshop to examine awareness activities and research opportunities to mitigate the effect of ableism in clinical care and the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise. Visit the meeting page to access recordings of both days of the workshop.
- Medical Rehabilitation Research Speaker Series: Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology: This third session in the series featured NCMRR grantees Martina Mancini, Ph.D., and Lynn Worobey, Ph.D., D.P.T., A.T.C., presenting their advances in the fields of assistive and rehabilitation technology.
- Rehabilitation Research 2020: Envisioning a Functional Future: NCMRR co-sponsored this conference in 2020 to highlight advances in rehabilitation research and to help inform the revision of the NIH Plan on Rehabilitation. Visit the meeting page to read the conference summary and access the conference videos.
- NCMRR-Related NICHD News
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