Project Spark is a 5-year program of clinical trials and community-based studies across Australia. Starting in 2021, the objective is to test, validate and develop neurostimulation treatments for people with a spinal cord injury.

This is Australia’s first neurostimulation trial treating paraplegics.

The eWalk trial is the foundation of Project Spark and emerged from a community initiative spearheaded by SpinalCure and funded in partnership with The CatWalk Trust.

The main outcome of the trial is to improve standing and walking, but neurological function, spasticity, quality of life and potential mechanisms underlying any improvements will also be assessed.

Neurostimulation is a potentially revolutionary treatment for people with spinal cord injuries. It uses electrical currents to wake up the spinal cord, reconnecting the brain and body, and to date has seen some unbelievable results.

Neurostimulation has the potential to improve life-changing function. Such a simple intervention could really impact someone's life, to mean that they can pick up an object, have better balance, be able to breathe better; there really are quite endless possibilities to the positive effect neurostimulation can have.

Nobody has yet done the rigorous gold-standard clinical trials required to give unequivocal scientific validation of transcutaneous stimulation (neurostimulation). Our eWalk trail is the first in the world to do this.

The study might be a good fit for you if:

• you are aged 16 years or older
• have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury between the levels of T1 and T11 at least 1 year ago

• you would visit Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney 3 times per week over a 12‑week period
• you would receive electrical stimulation of your spinal cord administered using gel electrodes placed on your back and stomach for 30 minutes
• while receiving the stimulation you will undergo walking training with one physiotherapist and up to two assistants, each
• you would undergo clinical assessments of walking and spasticity with and without stimulation before, during and after the 12 week training program

Previous participants have commented on gaining a number of benefits as a result of completing the eWALK trial, both physically and mentally.

Francois experienced improvements in bladder function and significant improvements in spasticity as a direct result of being on the trial, “The gains I got from the eWALK trial were unbelievable,” Francois Tuyau.

Project Spark focusses on non-invasive neurostimulation, using electrodes placed onto the skin. It is inexpensive, safe and very easy to make available to all those who could benefit after the trails have finished.

In small studies overseas, the results have been nothing less than unbelievable. We have seen people stand and walk. We have seen improved hand control. We have seen the return of lost vital functions such as bladder and bowel control, and cardiovascular stability.

Neurostimulation is unique. No other experimental therapy has seen an equivalent level of meaningful return of feeling and function in trial participants, and no other has the potential to be ready for mainstream distribution in the short term.

Every trial within Project Spark focuses on non-invasive neurostimulation, using electrodes applied on to the skin. The majority of people will find this painless, some people may feel some discomfort but the stimulation is trialled and tailored prior to ensure that it is suitable for each person.

1. The eWalk trial: Australia’s first neurostimulation clinical trial, aiming to restore the walking ability for incomplete paraplegics, recruiting in Sydney, Melbourne and three international sites.
2. Get a Grip: The second neurostimulation trial aims to improve hand, arm and respiratory function for people with quadriplegia. This study is taking place at Sydney's Clyde and St Peter’s NeuroMoves clinics and the first of up to 96 volunteers will commence treatment in May 2023. A Perth site is due to follow shortly after.
3. eWalk 2.0, An expanded phase 3 trial treating 142 incomplete quadriplegics and paraplegics across the country. Commencing 2024.
4. Combination Therapy. A fourth study exploring a combination of therapies to improve the arm, hand and respiratory function in people with quadriplegia. Commencing 2024.

This trial is being conducted in the community, which means it is more accessible for people to come and participate. It's still a research trial, but rather than being something that might be a placebo controlled trial, where some people get the real stimulation and some people don't, everybody gets the real stimulation in this trial. It's a trial that's open to everybody with a cervical spinal cord injury, as long as they are able to have neurostimulation.

Each clinical trial will have different criteria and conditions associated with being a participant.

For example, the Get a Grip study will mean attending a NeuroMoves centre three times a week, for a six week period, where stimulation would be applied for a half hour treatment session.

Every trial within Project Spark focuses on non-invasive neurostimulation, using electrodes applied on to the skin. The majority of people will find this painless, some people may feel some discomfort but the stimulation is trialled and tailored prior to ensure that it is suitable for each person.

Yes, absolutely - subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Some trials do not allow enrollment in another until the first is finished.

It's really important to register your interest as soon as possible if you want to be part of these groundbreaking trials. Spaces are limited, so we can’t guarantee a spot. Visit our clinical trials page, where more information on how to register for current trials can be found, click here.

Some trials may provide travel assistance and cover some expenses - check the trial participant information sheet for details.

Project Spark really could change the life of a friend, or a colleague, or a family member. So please encourage them to get in contact – we'd love to hear from them.

The majority of our trials are based with our partners at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) – we'd encourage you to register your details with their SCI volunteer database here, so they have a record and are able to contact you for any future studies. Some research only requires a one off visit, or through remote access or you may be able to participate in vital information gathering via a survey.