Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS)

Baylor Scott & White Spinal Cord Injury Model System

The Baylor Scott & White Spinal Cord Injury Model System (BSW-SCIMS) is a nationally recognized program that supports innovative clinical care and research to evaluate medical, rehabilitation, vocational and other services to meet the needs of individuals with SCI. Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas is one of 18 centers nationwide that was awarded a competitive grant by the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), due to its recognition as a national leader in SCI research and patient care.

Purpose of the SCI Model System:

Deliver coordinated rehabilitation care to patients with SCI
Track the health of patients over their life-time to better understand and support their recovery
Conduct innovative research to improve patient outcomes
Participate in collaborative, multi-site research with other SCI Model System centers across the country
Provide resources to patients and families

Helpful Links

The Baylor Scott & White Spinal Cord Injury Model System is currently funded between 2021-2026 and provides the largest continuum of care to individuals with SCI in North Texas and surrounding states. This continuum includes emergency medical services, acute care, rehabilitation, and outpatient services. As part of the Baylor Scott & White Health, the BSW-SCIMS pools the efforts and talents of caring individuals with expertise in areas such as rehabilitation, neuropsychology, and therapy at one of the top-ranked rehabilitation institution's in the country.

Local Project

Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Modified Brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy (Brief PE) During Inpatient Rehabilitation Post SCI

Investigators

Mark Powers, PhD (PI); Ann Marie Warren, PhD (co-PI); Seema Sikka, MD (Co-I)

Importance: Although the physical outcomes associated with SCI have been widely studied, the psychological consequences of sustaining a SCI remain less explored. Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a well-researched and highly effective treatment for PTSD across multiple traumas. However, early intervention with Brief PE for PTSD prevention among people post SCI in a rehabilitation setting has not yet been tested. We aim to conduct the first test of the Brief PE intervention to prevent PTSD among patients with SCI.

Goal: We will conduct a RCT to examine the efficacy of the modified Brief PE intervention delivered in an inpatient rehabilitation setting post-SCI to reduce PTSD symptoms (primary outcome) at one, three, and six months from baseline; (2) Examine the efficacy of the modified brief PE intervention on secondary outcomes including depression, general anxiety, pain, and quality of life at one, three, and six months from baseline; and (3) Assess the feasibility and fidelity of delivering the Brief PE intervention to people with SCI.

SCIMS Module Collaborative Projects 2021-2026

Development and Assessment of SCIMS cUTI Consensus Guidelines (Phase 3); Lead: National Capital Spinal Cord Injury Model System (NC-SCIMS-MedStar NRH)
Equity and Quality in Assistive Technology (EQUATE); Lead: University of Pittsburgh Model Center for Spinal Cord Injury (University of Pittsburgh)
Who Benefits? Understanding the Formal and Informal Financial Assistance Used to Cope with the Economic Impact of Spinal Cord Injury; Lead: Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
An SCI stakeholder-vetted education module to mitigate early cardio-endocrine health risks occurring after spinal cord injuries; Lead: South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model System (Univ. of Miami)
Accelerating Racial and Ethnic Equity in SCI Rehabilitation Outcomes; Lead: Virginia Consortium for Spinal Cord Injury Care (VCU)
Evaluating the Utility of Spasticity and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Predicting Neurologic and Functioning Recovery after SCI; Lead: Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System (Shirley Ryan AbilityLab)
Acute Spinal Cord Injury Outcomes Associated to Early Opioid Administration; Lead: TIRR Memorial Hermann

Baylor Scott & White Spinal Cord Injury Model System Investigators

Ann Marie Warren, PhD, ABPP | Project Director
Rita Hamilton, DO | Co-Project Director
Mark Powers, PhD | Co-Investigator
Seema Sikka, MD | Co-Investigator
Chad Swank, PT, PhD | Co-Investigator
Simon Driver, PhD | Co-Investigator
Monica Bennett, PhD | Biostatistician
Librada Callender, MPH, CCRC | Project Manager
Megan Douglas, PhD | Interventionist
Chista Ochoa, MPH | Research Coordinator
Erina Sarker, MPH | Research Coordinator
Jacqueline Nguyen, MPH | Research Coordinator

About our funding

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SIMS0011). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.