About us

Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF) is one of the largest non-university research institutions worldwide in the field of functioning and rehabilitation research. It represents disciplines such as medicine, biology, epidemiology, communication science, economics, psychology, nursing sciences, physiotherapy and human movement sciences, sociology, law, statistics, and political sciences under one roof and promotes the immediate exchange between research and practice.

Since 2008, SPF has been recognized by the Swiss Confederation as «research establishment of national importance». Due to its excellent research and numerous collaborations that provide a broad support, SPF has obtained a strong and consolidated position in its field and within the Swiss academic landscape.

In close collaboration with regional, national and international partners, the latest data on treatment, health care provision, health and quality of life of persons with spinal cord injury are collected, analyzed and forwarded. In collaboration with the Department of Health Sciences and Medicine of the University of Lucerne, which was founded in 2009, SPF contributes significantly to Switzerland’s status as center for research.