
Research is a key component for making new discoveries and improving the lives of people with disabilities. It can also provide participants insight and support regarding their conditions, especially when there is a gap in services. Here are a few studies that may be of interest.
Teen Mental Health Study

Children’s Speech Study
Children 3 to 6 years old who stutter are needed for a research study looking at how children’s thoughts, emotions, and language may affect their stuttering.
Participation in this study involves two visits to the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center that take about 2 hours per visit. We also conduct yearly follow-up assessments for 3 years. We have flexible scheduling to accommodate your availability.
Children may be able to join this research study if they:
- are 3-6 years old, and
- stutter
Potential benefits:
- Your child will have a stuttering consultation
- Your child will have yearly follow-up assessments for 3 years
- You will get your child’s speech-language assessments results
- You will get service referrals if needed
Compensation
- Participants will be compensated $100 total ($50 per visit)
If you are interested or would like more information regarding the study, please contact us at 615-936-5126 or DSPstuttering@vumc.org. You can also complete our recruitment survey athttps://redcap.link/stutter.
Multi-sensory Function Study
Vanderbilt University is seeking children and adults to participate in a study assessing multisensory function. The work in the Wallace Lab focuses on how individuals integrate all the things they hear, see, and touch into a single picture of the world. To do this, we use a number of behavioral tasks and games, virtual reality, and non-invasive physical recordings.
You may be eligible to participate if you are between the ages of 7 and 65 years; do not have a history of genetic, neurodevelopmental, or seizure disorders; you are comfortable wearing an EEG cap or virtual reality device; and you are comfortable working on a computer for up to an hour. The study will take 1-10 visits, depending on which activities you would like to participate in. Participants will receive $20 per hour of participation in the form of gift cards.
The study will take place at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Parking will be provided.
If you are interested in participating or learning more about this study, please email the research recruitment coordinator, Eliza Brandon, at elizabeth.g.brandon@vanderbilt.edu or 630-200-3916.
Cognitive Enhancement in Depression (The COG-D Study)
Help improve project on veteran health!
What
1-time online meeting to give feedback on a project seeking to improve respiratory health in veterans
Who
Veterans with no respiratory issues in Middle Tennessee
When
February 2025
The meeting is virtual (Zoom). All meeting attendees will receive a $66 gift card.
We are NOT recruiting for research; we simply hope to get honest opinions and feedback.
For more information
Please fill out our interest survey here: https://redcap.link/richmond
Questions? Email: cestudios@vumc.org
Neurodegenerative Disease Study
We want to better understand how healthy adults perceive time and compare this performance to individuals with neurodegenerative disease.
Participation Criteria
In order to participate you must (inclusion criteria):
- Speak English fluently
- Be between the ages of 18 and 90 years old
In order to participate, you must NOT (exclusion criteria):
- Have a history of neurological disorders, diseases, dementia, infections, strokes, cancers, injuries, or surgeries.
- Have a history of sleep disorders.
- Have a history of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, autism, and other learning disabilities.
- Anxiety and depression without recent symptoms and without medication would still be eligible to participate
- Have fibromyalgia or migraines
- Currently be taking any of the following medications: antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety, mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medication, and opioids/narcotics
Study Tasks or Visits
During the visit, you’ll answer questions about your medical history & demographics, and complete a 10-minute time perception task.
Study Length
The visit will last 20 minutes at the Village at Vanderbilt OR virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Compensation
You’ll be compensated $25 for participating.
Contact Information
Please fill out this contact form: https://redcap.vumc.org/surveys/?s=AE948EK8A9JNTCCY
Or contact Maeve Curtin at 1-615-936-8815 / maeve.curtin@vumc.org