Improving walking after stroke with spinal cord stimulation
Official title: Locomotor function following transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation in individuals with hemiplegic stroke
Funded at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · NIH-11139482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how gentle electrical stimulation to the spinal cord, combined with walking practice, can help people walk better after a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $687,502 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD106015-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals who have experienced a hemiplegic stroke and continue to have difficulties with walking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose walking difficulties are not related to stroke or who have other contraindications to electrical stimulation may not receive benefit.
What this research studies
Many stroke survivors experience lasting difficulties with walking, including slower speeds and uneven steps, which can make it hard to get around. Current therapies often focus on the brain, but this project suggests that the spinal cord might also be affected by stroke. We are exploring if non-invasive electrical stimulation applied to the spinal cord, along with gait training, can improve walking abilities. Our early findings show differences in spinal cord responses in stroke survivors compared to healthy individuals, suggesting this approach could be beneficial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new way to improve walking speed, balance, and coordination for individuals living with persistent gait problems after a stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown promising indications of spinal cord changes after stroke and differential responses to stimulation, suggesting this is a novel area of exploration for gait recovery.
Where this research is happening
-
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jayaraman, Arun — Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
- Study coordinator: Jayaraman, Arun
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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.