| Submission Number |
1356 |
| Opening Phases |
Phase 3 |
| Name |
Roxana Burciu |
| Academic Classification |
Assistant Professor Tenure-Track |
| PI Email |
rgburciu@udel.edu |
| Emergency Contact / Phone Number |
3528711275 |
| College |
College of Health Sciences |
| Department |
KINESIOLOGY and APPL PHYSIOLOGY |
| Lab/Facility |
STAR HEALTH SCIENCE COMPLEX |
| Limited Face-to-Face Human Subject Interaction |
This research includes face-to-face human subject interaction. Our lab (Motor Neuroscience and Neuroimaging Lab) received permission to conduct human subjects research, including Parkinson’s disease research, during the fall of 2020. Our lab space in the STAR Tower where we do all the behavioral testing (#235) is 302 sq. feet and access is currently limited to 2 people. Although we are approved to conduct research in Parkinson’s disease patients, we tried to delay their recruitment and focused on testing older adults instead (the control group). We would like to resume data collection in Parkinson’s disease (including for an NIH-funded study) and we request permission to have 3 people in the lab when a patient is tested. The three people allowed in the lab would be: 1) the Parkinson’s disease patient, 2) researcher no. 1, 3) researcher no. 2. We would not need a third person to be in the same room when a healthy participant is tested. It is important to have 2 people at all times when a patient is tested because patients come to the lab after an overnight withdrawal from their antiparkinsonian medication and their motor symptoms (e.g. tremor) could be more prominent. Prior to Covid-19, we always had 2 people attending to the patient. Also, for our studies we collect balance and gait data and assistance is required for this portion of data collection, in order to ensure the patient’s safety and prevent events like falling. |
| Physical Distancing and Density Requirements |
Given that the lab is not crowded with large equipment, we believe we can make good use of the 302 sq. feet of space and have the 3 people (patient and 2 researchers) distanced properly (min 6 ft away). The second researcher would not be in close proximity to the patient and would only assist as necessary (e.g., during balance and gait tests). Currently, for data collection, the researcher who is testing healthy participants (i.e., older adults) is wearing a surgical mask, a face shield and gloves. When a Parkinson’s disease patient will be tested, both researchers will be double masked (surgical mask + cloth mask) and also put on a face shield and gloves. The lab will be cleaned before and after each use with hospital grade disinfectant cleaner (equipment, furniture, contact points such as door handle etc.). |
| Additional team members that will need access |
|
| Department Chair |
John Jeka |
| Department Chair Email |
jjeka@udel.edu |
| Signature |
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