Non‑invasive spinal stimulation to improve recovery after spinal cord injury
Harnessing Neuroplasticity of Postural Sensorimotor Networks Using Non-Invasive Spinal Neuromodulation to Maximize Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
This project compares two types of spinal electrical stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries stand and regain movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190861 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may receive either surface (transcutaneous) electrical stimulation or implanted epidural stimulation while doing standing and rehabilitation exercises, and the team will measure muscle responses and movement. Researchers will test the immediate effects of each stimulation type in the same participants and then compare changes after a period of standing training with each method. They will also create detailed neurophysiological profiles to understand how individual nervous systems respond and which approach works best for whom. The goal is to directly compare the two stimulation approaches and learn how to tailor therapy to improve functional recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with spinal cord injury who have impaired standing or stepping, are medically stable, and are willing to participate in repeated stimulation and rehabilitation sessions.
Not a fit: People without spinal cord injury or those with medical contraindications to electrical stimulation or to implantation (if epidural stimulation is required) are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help more people with spinal cord injury regain standing and walking ability and guide personalized use of non‑invasive versus implanted spinal stimulation.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier small clinical trials have reported promising restoration of motor functions with each stimulation type, but direct head‑to‑head comparisons in the same participants are new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sayenko, Dimitry — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Sayenko, Dimitry
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 below.