Effects of activity-based recovery training on bladder and bowel function after spinal cord injury
Official title: Effects of activity dependent plasticity on recovery of bladder and sexual function after human spinal cord injury
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11450679 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from University of Louisville explores noninvasive therapies to improve bladder and bowel function in people with spinal cord injury, including children and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2014 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $559,338 |
| NIH project number | 2R01HD080205-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450679 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children and adults with spinal cord injury affecting bladder and bowel function who can participate in activity-based training and noninvasive neuromodulation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without spinal cord injury or those unable to participate in the proposed training and neuromodulation approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates whether activity-based recovery training, like locomotor training on a treadmill and noninvasive spinal stimulation, can improve continence and emptying of the bladder and bowel in people with spinal cord injury. The team has begun to combine pediatric-focused approaches with existing adult data to see if these therapies work better in younger patients who may have greater neuroplasticity. The study uses both movement-based training and transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation to target motor control and autonomic function related to the bladder and bowels. Outcomes include improvements in continence and emptying, with parental/caregiver observations suggesting potential off-target benefits. The renewal emphasizes translating promising pediatric findings into practical therapies for kids and adults with SCI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new, noninvasive therapies that improve bladder and bowel control for people living with spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have gone: Prior human pilot data and preclinical work suggest meaningful improvements; the pediatric focus is a logical extension building on existing positive signals.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hubscher, Charles H. — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Hubscher, Charles H.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.