Bryden, Anne, PhD, OTR/L

With over 30 years of experience as a clinical occupational therapist, researcher, and sociologist, Dr. Anne Marie Bryden is recognized for her dual expertise in the clinical translation of upper limb neuroprosthetics and the qualitative investigation of disability, healthcare equity, and community reintegration after spinal cord injury.

She has contributed to the development of international clinical assessment standards, including the International SCI Upper Extremity Basic Data Set and the updated Grasp and Release Test for Tetraplegic Hand Assessment.

As an Occupational Therapist and Sociologist, Dr. Bryden is deeply committed to improving the lives of people with spinal cord injury. She leads the functional assessment program for upper extremity neuroprosthetics and reconstructive surgeries at The Cleveland FES Center.

Currently she is responsible for leading the multi-center pivotal clinical trial for the Networked Neuroprosthesis (NNP) System, the latest innovation developed at the Cleveland FES Center. Her research interests include upper extremity assessment, surgical interventions, outcomes measurement, and the social determinants of health and wellness in people with chronic physical disability.

Dr. Bryden is equally committed to uncovering the structural and sociopolitical barriers that individuals with SCI face in navigating healthcare and community resources, with federal and foundation-funded qualitative studies examining insurance inequities, access to rehabilitative care, and the human rights dimensions of disability. She actively mentors students and clinicians and participates in national and international workgroups focused on rehabilitation outcomes measurement.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

• Functional electrical stimulation and neuroprosthetics for upper extremity restoration in tetraplegia
• Clinical outcomes assessment and standardization for spinal cord injury rehabilitation
• Qualitative investigation of post-acute care transitions and resource navigation after SCI
• Sociological analysis of disability, human rights, and healthcare equity
• Tendon transfer surgery outcomes and clinical assessment in tetraplegia

MAJOR PROJECTS & FUNDING

• NIH-Funded Clinical Trial, multi-PI on Restoration of Grasp and Reach in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury; led clinical and regulatory aspects of multi-center pivotal trial for FDA approval of networked neuroprosthesis
• Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, PI on project evaluating systemic and psychosocial burdens on familial caregivers during acute SCI transitions
• International SCI Upper Extremity Basic Data Set — contributing member of joint ASIA/ISCoS workgroup establishing international clinical standards
• Grasp and Release Test for Tetraplegic Hand Assessment (GRT-THA), co-developer of updated international assessment tool
• Federal and foundation-funded qualitative studies, analyzing healthcare navigation barriers and human rights dimensions of disability in the first year after SCI

HONORS & RECOGNITION

• 2024 Jayanthi Lectureship Award, Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Annual Meeting
• 2024 Second Place for Best Oral Presentation, American Spinal Injury Association
• 2021 Leadership Service Award, American Spinal Injury Association