Several wound research studies are currently underway at New York University Medical Center to investigate the normal skin changes in spinal cord injured individuals and to learn more about why chronic wounds such as pressure sores, or bedsores, do not heal as fast as surgical wounds. Volunteers are actively being recruited to participate in these studies.
Other studies are investigating the problem of delayed healing in leg ulcers and a study of the bacteria that colonize open skin wounds. To analyze skin changes or differences between normally healing wounds and slow healing wounds the researchers either collect a very small skin sample, or samples of wound fluid, or perform a bacterial swab of the wound. Samples are then analyzed in the laboratory. Findings from these studies will be used to improve the future care and treatment of these wounds.
Dr. Annette Wysocki, Director of Nursing Research and Research Assistant Professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, is the Principal Investigator for these studies which are funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research. All studies have been approved by the Institutional Board of Research Associates at the New York University Medical Center.
Anyone interested in participating in these studies should be over 18 years of age. No new treatment or fee is involved for any of the studies. For the leg ulcer and pressure sore study (with and without spinal cord injury), where wound fluid is collected, anyone with an open skin wound is eligible and wounds are re-dressed free of charge. People with leg ulcers or pressure sores (with and without spinal cord injury) are also eligible to participate in the study of wound bacteria, and again, the wound is re-dressed free of charge. For the study of skin changes, subjects with a spinal cord injury or healthy volunteers are eligible to participate, and in this study a stipend is given to qualified volunteers.
Anyone wishing to participate in these studies should contact Ijeoma Brown, R.N., at New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or call , fax .
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