Spinal Cord Injury Research Collaborative

Our research vision entails improving motor function for people with spinal cord injury by (i) delivering evidence-based emerging therapies, (ii) discovering new therapies, (iii) optimising the effectiveness of both emerging and newly discovered therapies through basic research of their mechanisms, and (iv) amplifying the effects of therapies via combined approaches

A multi-site clinical study investigating whether transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with exercise training can improve upper-limb function and breathing in people with spinal cord injury. Participants are guided through a 30-minute exercise program three times per week for six weeks at community-based rehabilitation centres across Australia and New Zealand. Using an adaptive trial design, the study will evaluate the safety, acceptability and effectiveness of different transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation approaches. The findings will identify promising treatment strategies for larger clinical trials and support the development of accessible, evidence-based rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injury.

An international multi-site clinical trial investigating whether transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) combined with locomotor training can improve walking ability in people with chronic spinal cord injury. Participants complete a 12-week rehabilitation program involving regular locomotor training with either active tSCS or sham stimulation. The study will evaluate whether tSCS improves walking, lower-limb strength, spasticity, independence and quality of life compared with rehabilitation alone. The trial will provide high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of tSCS as a non-invasive adjunct to rehabilitation therapy to improve walking ability and inform future clinical practice for people living with spinal cord injury

We conduct a range of neurophysiological studies in people with and without spinal cord injury (SCI) to examine the neural mechanisms surrounding new therapies and their effects after the injury. The new knowledge gained from these studies underpins future clinical trials and provide the evidence base to optimise treatment for people with spinal cord injury at both an individual and population level. Current neurophysiological studies include: optimisation of the delivery of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation on the control of movement and blood pressure after SCI; mechanisms and effects of acute intermittent hypoxia after SCI; control of respiration and swallowing after SCI; improving seated balance after SCI; new treatments to optimise limb motor function after SCI; improving bowel function after SCI; proprioception in humans.