The Reuth Institute for Research and Development

About

The Reuth Institute for Research and Development has been operating in the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital Tel Aviv since 2012 and promotes a wide range of clinical research in the fields of rehabilitation and the paramedical professions. The institute and the hospital encourage the staff to initiate and participate in innovative research and to publish their findings in professional and scientific journals.

The main objective of the research work at the institute is to develop innovative and more efficient treatment methods which are anticipated to improve the rehabilitation processes and help those being rehabilitated. Many of the studies are carried out together with researchers from the biomedical industry and academia.

The distinct uniqueness of the institute is provision of a personal and intimate service and efficacy in execution of the work processes which enable a fast and convenient transition from the stage of definition of the concept and until the stage of execution. Every research is carried out while maintaining a high standard of quality and trust without compromise.

At any given time tens of studies are being carried out in the institute in a range of medical and paramedical fields. The studies are initiated and carried out by teams of researchers on issues relating to the daily workings of the medical center including students of medicine and students of advanced degrees in the paramedical professions and researchers from academic institutes from Israel and overseas. Furthermore, the institute conducts research collaborations also with commercial companies, including: pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, medical instrumentation companies and more.

Fields of research

The Institute’s services

• Organization of study days, courses and workshops for the purpose of training and development of the ability to engage in medical research from all its aspects
• Organization of meetings between researchers and developers for identification of needs and promotion of innovative technological solutions as a response to the needs identified
• Initiation and execution of selected studies within the framework of the institute
• Consultation for researchers at Reuth in development of research protocols and preparation of research files including all their documentation.
• Help in handling agreements with companies for promotion of research collaboration with them
• Ongoing monitoring and control of research carried out at Reuth
• Support of the rehabilitation medicine and geriatrics interns and research students (MA, MSc and PhD) in execution of research
• Extraction of data for research with the help of the Computerization Unit and the hospital’s information systems
• Raising of funding sources for support of the research and development activities
• Methodology, epidemiology and statistical consultation
• Linguistic editing
• Provision of internal research grants to Reuth researchers
• Provision of consultation for submitting requests for external research grants in Israel and overseas
• Support for commercial development of R&D outcomes in Reuth while protecting the interests of the holders of the intellectual property rights.

Selected fields of research

• Orthopaedic rehabilitation
• Neurological rehabilitation after head injuries and/or spinal injuries
• Geriatric rehabilitation
• Respiratory rehabilitation
• Sexual rehabilitation and therapy
• Treatment of chronic pain
• Development and assessment of new rehabilitation technologies
• Medications and food supplements during rehabilitation
• Treatment of bed-ridden patients
• Prevention and/or treatment of slow healing wounds
• Treatment of cognitive and sensomotor disorders by means of physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Use of biofeedback during rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation of communication disorders
• Examination of the nutritional effect on the rehabilitation process
• Treatment and prevention of recurrence in eating disorders
• Research of psychological and sociological aspects in coping with rehabilitation
• The contribution of complementary medicine in the rehabilitation process
• Research of the health policies on issues of rehabilitation and the third age

For the list of clinical research carried out in the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital Tel Aviv and records see:

• The Israeli Ministry of Health – Mytrial
• NIS (National Institutes of Health) USA

To view a list of publications by the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital staff – click here.

Collaborations

Collaborations with companies

As an institution committed to good quality and dedicated treatment to the patient and to initiative, innovation and research, the policy of the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital is to initiate and help in the development of research projects with practical potential. The Reuth Research and Development Institute is the executing arm of this policy. The institute carries out extensive collaboration with various types of companies and in a diverse range of activities with a deep understanding of the challenges before the penetration of new technologies and medications into the market. The institute excels in speedy handling of the processes with the companies and uncompromising adherence to a high standard of research.

Amongst the commercial companies with which the hospital has research relationships:

• Neurosteer
• BrainMark
• BrainQ
• BeyondVerbal
• NIBS
• Regenera Pharma
• MindBeagle
• Wizecare
• Step of Mind
• QuantalX NeuroSicence
• Radiancy

We are open for additional collaborations and invite you to contact us.

Contact person: Mr Michael Brik, Head of the Field of Development,

Email: [email protected]

Academic collaborations

Many students of postgraduate degrees (MA, MSc and PhD) in the fields of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work, speech therapy, nutrition, epidemiology and public health carry out their research work within the framework of Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital under the guidance of the senior staff of the hospital.

At present students from the following institutions are carrying out their research work here:

• Tel Aviv University
• Bar Ilan University
• Ariel University
• Haifa University
• Ben Gurion University
• The Hebrew University
• The Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya
• The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College

We invite you to also carry out your research in the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital. We would be happy to receive applications also from other academic institutions.

Contact person: Mr Michael Brik, Head of the Field of Development,

Email: [email protected]

Furthermore, the Reuth Hospital and the Research and Development Institute also collaborate with innovation programs in academia with the objective of identifying needs and developing technological solutions for the needs that have been identified. For example one such collaboration is the collaboration with the Biomedtech program of the Tel Aviv University – a program for development of pioneering medical technologies.

Additional research collaborations:

The members of staff of the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital initiate and/or participate in many multi-institutional researches, some of them international, in which researchers from industry and academia are also involved.

Amongst examples that can be noted on this issue is the collaboration of the staff of the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital with researchers from Germany within the framework of the German-Israeli Foundation (GIF) for Scientific Research and Development, with global researches within the framework of COMPACT research (Core Outcome Measurement set for complex regional PAin syndrome Clinical Trials).

With the vision to place the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital in the forefront of research, teaching and achievements in the rehabilitation fields, the Research and Development Institute of the hospital is acting to expand such collaborations and would be glad to participate in multi-institutional research in which we can work together with other hospitals in Israel and overseas.

Information for those participating in research and their families

Information for those participating in research and their families

Any individual who participates in medical research can benefit from an initial experience in innovative treatments before they are available for the general public. Furthermore, participants in research receive close medical attention, ongoing medical follow up, comprehensive examinations throughout the trial without cost, even when these are expensive examinations which are not included in the health basket, and receive the experimental medications free of charge.

Participation by a patient in medical research takes place on a voluntary basis. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in the trial or to terminate his participation at any stage, whereby there shall no harm to his medical rights due to this and he shall receive optimal medical treatment at all times.

The examinees should be aware that the researchers are under close supervision, whereby every trial commences only after receipt of approval of the Helsinki Committee (an ethics committee designed to examine the qualification of the proposed research) and of the hospital management. The role of the Helsinki Committee is to ensure the good health, wellbeing, dignity and rights of every participant. Furthermore there is a control body that examines the running of the research and ensures that every research complies with the Committee’s approval.

The risk entailed in participation in a trial:

• Unanticipated side effects
• Inefficiency of the treatment for some of the participants in the trial
• There could be a situation in which a participant shall receive a placebo preparation and not the research preparation and therefore he shall not receive the anticipated treatment
• It is possible that the participant shall be required to attend additional visits at the hospital as well as blood tests and additional examinations which are not taken from a patient who is not participating in the trial.
• The participant must update any other medical entity who is treating him as to his participation in the research
• The specific benefits and risks in any research are detailed on the informed consent form that each participant is required to sign prior to the start of his participation in the research

Informed consent form

Pursuant to the procedures of the Ministry of Health, according to the Public Health Regulations and international law, after a patient has received a detailed explanation of the nature of the research, and has read and understood the research process, he confirms by his signature together with the date, as to his wish to participate in the research. The physician also confirms by his signature that he has explained the research process to the patient and that the physician is convinced that the patient has understood the nature of the research and agrees to participate.

The informed consent form includes information on the following:

• The research objectives
• The number of the participants anticipated
• The duration of participation in the research
• The research methods including a description of the research product, a description of the various processes during the trial with a clear differentiation between the research processes and the accepted processes in medicine.
• The anticipated advantages for the participant or for others as a result of the trial.
• The known risks and/or the discomfort that the participant could undergo in the trial
• The circumstances in which the participation in the medical trial could be terminated at the decision of the researcher or the developer.
• Where to turn with additional questions or clarifications in regard to the research or medical problems during the research.
• Confidentiality of the medical and personal information
• The rights of a participant in research – voluntary participation only. The right to consult on the issue of the participation with any person, the treating physician, and his family. The right to refuse to participate in a trial or to terminate the participation at any stage. If the participant decides to terminate his participation in the trial his medical rights shall not be harmed and he shall receive optimal treatment at all times.
• By the patient’s signature on the informed consent form he permits the trial developer, the Institutional Helsinki Committee, the auditing body of the medical institution and the Ministry of Health access to his medical file to validate the methods of the trial and the clinical data. By his signature on the informed consent form the patient also confirms that the information about his participation in the research shall be transferred to the treating physician in his HMO (if relevant).
• After signature on the informed consent form the patient receives a copy of the form and he is permitted to study it at any time.

Issues that you are recommended to check in advance:

The patients must receive detailed information as far as possible about the nature of the research and its duration and to clarify whether the research could help him in his recovery. These details may be received from the research team and the supervising researcher. The majority of the details are on the informed consent form which the patient shall be requested to sign prior to the start of the research.

• The objective of the research
• The number of participants
• What are the treatments received during the research
• The frequency of visits to the research centre
• Anticipated side effects
• The anticipated benefit to the patient
• The anticipated duration of the research
• Does the research include hospitalization, blood tests or other tests?
• Will the results of the research be available to the patient?
• What are the alternative treatments, inasmuch as there are such, for his condition?
• Is the patient entitled to a reimbursement of travel expenses?
• What does the follow up include for the patient in the research?
• How will the participation in the research affect the patient’s daily routine?
• Does the research include restrictions to taking medications or eating certain foods?
• In the event that the patient feels unwell during the research, where and to whom should he turn?
• Will the treating physician in the HMO receive information about the research? If so, what is the nature of the information that will be transferred?
• Is the patient permitted to stop the research at any time and what are the ramifications in the event that he shall request to do so?
• Is the patient insured against damages that shall be caused to him due to his participation in the research?

The Helsinki Committee

The Institutional Helsinki Committee operates in Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital pursuant to the provisions of the Ministry of Health Procedure and the international procedure for appropriate clinical processes (ICH-GCP). The committee, headed by Prof. Avi Ori, has been operating since 2001 and approves requests for trials on humans in all fields of the hospital’s activity, including medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic occupation, communication disorders, social work, psychology and nutrition.

The Helsinki Committee convenes once a month and its members include: public representatives, representatives of management and physicians. The rest of the members come from various relevant fields for execution of research: pharmacy, science and regulation. The committee discusses the safety of the patients, safeguarding their rights and ethical issues in execution of research on humans. Furthermore, the committee handles new research requests, amendments required for existing research, extension of research, terminations of research, irregular events or safety reports.

The Helsinki Committee is in constant contact with the Clinical Trials Department at the Ministry of Health and ensures to maintain the procedures and the conventions in this field. The committee operates pursuant to the Principles of the Helsinki Declaration.

The team

• • The Institute Director: Prof. Racheli Dankner

   

  A physician specializing in public health and an associate professor of the Faculty of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the School of Public Health in the Sackler Faculty of Medicine in the Tel Aviv University. She coordinates courses and lectures at the School of Medicine and at the College for Advanced Studies and tutors post graduate students in epidemiology and preventive medicine.

   

  Prof. Dankner is also a sports and diving physician. Her research work focuses mainly on the research and prevention of heart and blood vessel diseases, the rehabilitation of cardiac patients, research of diabetes and CVA.

   

  Email: [email protected]

   

  Telephone: 073-2701613

   

  • Head of the Field of Development: Mr Michael Brik

   

  Responsible for development of medical technologies and promotion of research collaborations with academic institutions, clinical research organizations (CRO), innovation centers, accelerators, incubators, start ups and mature companies in the relevant fields on core issues of the activity of the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital.

   

  He is a graduate with a B.Sc. degrees in Chemistry and Biology, M.Sc. degrees in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Health System Administration and Business Management – all from the Tel Aviv University, and with extensive experience in management of projects in hi-tech and academia.

   

  Email: [email protected]

   

  Telephone: 073-2791658

   

   

  • Head of the Field of Research: Ms Pnina Marom

   

  As Head of the Field of Research in the Research and Development Institute Ms Pnina Marom is responsible for management of research at the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital pursuant to an ongoing work program, helping the Reuth employees in execution of research in the fields of their occupation, and planning and execution of selected research within the framework of the institute.

   

  She has an MSc in Public Health in promotion of health from the School for Public Health of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University and has a BSc. in Health and Environmental Sciences from the Haifa University

   

  Email: [email protected]

   

  Telephone: 073-2701610

   

   

  • Senior Epidemiologist: Ms Hanaa Raayan Aasi

   

  She has an MSc in Epidemiologist and Preventive Medicine from the School of Publish Health, the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University and a BSc in Nutrition from the Hebrew University

   

  Email: [email protected]

   

   

  • Secretary and Coordinator of the Helsinki Committee: Ms Maya Fichman

   

  She has a B.Sc. in Biotechnology and Electronic Engineering from the Tel Aviv-Jaffa College

   

  Email: [email protected],il

  Telephone: 073-2701610

Selected Scientific Publications

2019

1. Bartur G, Pratt H, Soroker N. Changes in mu and beta amplitude of the EEG during upper limb movement correlate with motor impairment and structural damage in subacute stroke. Clin Neurophysiol. 2019 Sep;130(9):1644–51.)
2. Friedmann N, Yachini M, Gvion A, Nickels L. Non-word writing does not require the phonological output buffer: Neuropsychological evidence for a direct phonological-orthographic route. J Neuropsychol. 2019 Aug; [Epub ahead of print]
3. Frenkel-Toledo S, Fridberg G, Ofir S, Bartur G, Lowenthal-Raz J, Granot O, et al. Lesion location impact on functional recovery of the hemiparetic upper limb. PLoS One. 2019;14(7):e0219738.
4. Grieve S, Brunner F, Buckle L, Gobeil F, Hirata H, Iwasaki N, et al. A multi-centre study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of collecting data for complex regional pain syndrome clinical studies using a core measurement set: Study protocol. Musculoskeletal Care. 2019 Jul; [Epub ahead of print]
5. Cinamon U, Albukrek D, Dvir D, Marom T. Reversible conductive hearing impediments among patients with severe brain injury. Disabil Rehabil. 2019 Apr;1–4.
6. Elkana O, Conti Y, Heyman O, Hamdan S, Franko M, Vatine J-J. The associations between executive functions and different aspects of perceived pain, beyond the influence of depression, in rehabilitation setting. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2019 Feb;1–15.
7. Hamama-Raz Y, Minerbi R. Coping strategies in secondary traumatization and post-traumatic growth among nurses working in a medical rehabilitation hospital: a pilot study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2019 Jan;92(1):93–100.

2018

1. Bartur G, Pratt H, Frenkel-Toledo S, Soroker N. Neurophysiological effects of mirror visual feedback in stroke patients with unilateral hemispheric damage. Brain Res. 2018 Dec;1700:170–80.
2. Gvion A, Faran M, Shemesh F. [CHANGES IN THE WAY WE OBSERVE, ASSESS AND TREAT APHASIA: FROM THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO THE PSYCHOLINGUISTIC AND SOCIAL APPROACHES]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):585–9.
3. Ohry A, Shemesh F, Haddad N, Lifshitz A, Goldin D. [PARAPARESIS DUE TO RHABDOMYOLYSIS AND A COMPARTMENT SYNDROME IN FIVE PATIENTS WHO HAD BEEN IN A PROLONGED SLEEP IN A SITTING POSITION]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):582–4.
4. Yariv H, Dvir D. [AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ROLE OF A REHABILITATION HOSPITAL PHARMACIST IN DETERMINING DISCREPANCIES AND MEDICATION ERRORS DURING PATIENTS` ADMISSION]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):576–81.
5. Gvion A, Biran M, Shemesh F. [FROM THEORY TO THE CLINIC – IS IT POSSIBLE TO DETECT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANOMIA ACCORDING TO THE LEXICAL RETRIEVAL MODEL?]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):570–5.
6. Lapid H, Weinber I, Shaked H, Albukrek D, Dvir D. [FALL PREDICTION AND FALL SEVERITY IN REHABILITATION HOSPITAL]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):566–9.
7. Bartur G, Ohry A, Keren O. [RECRUITMENT PATTERNS OF HOMOLOGOUS MUSCLES DURING UNILATERAL MOVEMENT IN HEMIPARETIC SUBJECTS]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):561–5.
8. Bachar Y, Karpin H, Dror G, Lieberman L, Dvir D, Ratzon N. [EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND DAILY FUNCTIONS, ROAD SIGN RECOGNITION AND DRIVING SELF-REPORT AMONG HEALTHY AND POST-STROKE DRIVERS]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):556–60.
9. Albukerek D. [REHABILITATION MEDICINE ADDS LIFE TO THE YEARS]. Harefuah. 2018 Sep;157(9):553–5.
10. Kalron A, Tawil H, Peleg-Shani S, Vatine J-J. Effect of telerehabilitation on mobility in people after hip surgery: a pilot feasibility study. Int J Rehabil Res Int Zeitschrift fur Rehabil Rev Int Rech Readapt. 2018 Sep;41(3):244–50.
11. Bar-Shalita T, Livshitz A, Levin-Meltz Y, Rand D, Deutsch L, Vatine J-J. Sensory modulation dysfunction is associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0201354.
12. Springer S, Friedman I, Ohry A. Thoracopelvic assisted movement training to improve gait and balance in elderly at risk of falling: a case series. Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:1143–9.
13. Ohry A. The Modern Rehabilitation Medicine Enigma: Treating People with Disabilities, but Sometimes without a Clear Diagnosis. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2018 Feb;20(1):1–3.