Contact TCNL: Patients & Volunteer Subjects

Updated 11/11/2011

THERE IS NO CURRENT CALL FOR VOLUNTEER SUBJECTS. Calls for subjects will be posted on this page.

After reading the information below, please direct you inquiry to:

tcnl_inquiries@mailplus.wisc.edu

How to contact TCNL

Thank you for your interest in TCNL. We are not presently recruiting any volunteer subjects for our research studies.

Persons with vision impairments may wish to contact Wicab, Inc. about their BrainPort™ Vision device, originally developed at TCNL. Wicab may also have separate calls for subjects on their clinical trials page. Wicab and TCNL are separate entities.

General information about study participation

If you meet inclusion criteria for a study in progress, the intervention typically requires a 2-week stay in Madison, with twice-daily, 1.5-hour rigorous treatment sessions, plus "homework" exercises. The treatment consists of a variety of balance, posture, gait, relaxation, cognitive, and other kinds of training and exercises. During most of the exercises you will receive mild electrical stimulation of your tongue, which we believe enhances the brain's beneficial response to the exercises. You will also receive a variety of testing of your balance, gait, and arm movements as well as complete written surveys. Exercises continue at home for at least 3 months and you will be required to return to the lab every month for testing. This is a physically demanding program and requires a great deal of personal motivation. Please consider carefully whether you will be able to commit the necessary time and energy before contacting us regarding study participation.

All TCNL research is just that — research. It does not constitute medical treatment. All TCNL research with human subjects is conducted under a protocol approved by the UW Health Sciences Institutional Review Board. Prior to participating in any TCNL research, subjects read and sign a consent form outlining the nature of the study as well as any possible risks and benefits.

Due to limited research funding, there is no reimbursement made for study participation, housing, transportation, meals, etc.

Answers to other questions including neurological conditions of interest and availability of the CN-NINM intervention are available on our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.

TCNL is a small research lab, not a clinic

TCNL conducts a variety of research projects in human touch perception and innovative treatment of symptoms of neurological disorders, especially those affecting control of movement. See our project page for a sample of TCNL research.

TCNL is a small basic and translational research lab, with approximately 1000 square feet of space, and has no waiting area, receptionist, or general office staff. Up to four subjects per month participate in our studies in targeted research areas aimed at answering specific scientific questions. We typically conduct early-stage "proof-of-concept" and "pilot study" research.

TCNL is self-supporting, including staff salaries. Donations to support and expand our research program are appreciated. Please see our support page if you are interested in making a donation. Donations support our overall research program, are not linked to any particuar subject, and do not guarantee participation in a study.