Rewards of Treating Sex as a Biological Variable in Rehabilitation Research: Researcher and Clinician Reports (599368)

Thursday, November 7

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Location: Salon C-5, Lower Level

Presenter(s)

Janet Niemeier, PhD, ABPP (RP)

Director of Research, Associate Professor
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, Alabama
Yu-Ying Chen, MD, PhD

Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Hoover, Alabama
Rachel Cowan, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Alabama Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Thomas Novack, PhD

Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Brittney Otruba Randolph, PhD

Postdoctoral Neuropsychology Fellow
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama

Abbreviated Version of Abstract for Symposium:

The cross-field researchers will provide evidence and study findings that highlight the importance to the field of rehabilitation of treating sex as a biological variable toward improved understanding of TBI and SCI recovery and treatment needs. Date reported include results of a study of TBI effects on sex and stress hormones, sex differences in metabolic function and epigenetic aging after SCI, sex-stratification of big data from a quality of life SCI study, sex differences in neurocognitive recovery after moderate to severe TBI. Conclusions include recommendations for designing research that includes sex stratification.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion participants will be able to describe recent brain injury and spinal cord injury literature showing importance of stratifying sex in all phases of rehabilitation research.
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe several data and treatment studies showing significant sex differences in post-TBI/SCI symptoms (type, duration, and severity) and recovery trajectories.
Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss the clinical and research implications of recent research findings showing significant sex and gender differences after TBI and SCI.
Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss ways they can consider sex as a biological variable in all phases of their TBI and SCI research plans.