Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Research for Operational Readiness (MIRROR)
Leading Musculoskeletal Injury Care
MIRROR supports a broad scope of projects, including epidemiological investigations, investigator initiated pilot trials, and prospective randomized multisite clinical trials. Areas of clinical evaluation comprise general MSI care process models and highly prevalent anatomically-specific (e.g. back, knee, shoulder pain, etc.) targeted interventions with protocols examining effective return to running and return-to-duty activities.
Areas of Focus
Research Focus 1: Prevention and Treatment of MSI Risk Factors; Research Focus 2: Optimization of Standard of Care Practices for Rehabilitation of MSI; Research Focus 3: Establishment of Strategies to Mitigate Injury Occurrence; Research Focus 4: Application of New Technologies in Preventative and Rehabilitative Care
Research
Background
MSI affects approximately 800,000 service members annually, resulting in 25 million days of limited duty. These conditions are the primary reasons for medical discharge and downgrade, and result in 34% of medical evacuations from theatre. Most concerning is that the disability discharge rate for MSI has increased 13x between 1981 and 2005 (70 vs. 950 per 100,000 persons), which negatively impacts cost, care, and utilization within the military health system.
Given the strict requirements for physical fitness in the military, and impact of MSI on combat readiness, the Defense Health Agency has supported the creation of MIRROR, which will provide critical infrastructure, operational and research support to advance the treatment and preventive care for service members with non-combat related MSI. Headquartered at the Uniformed Services University, MIRROR will coordinate inter-service partnerships with the primary military treatment facilities, and other sites that experience a high volume of MSI, but lack a robust infrastructure to conduct rigorous clinical studies.
Our Partners
MIRROR collaborates with over 20 prestigious military treatment facilities and civilian organizations across the United States to promote innovative research and effective care for service members’ MSIs.
