In a study published in Brain (September 2025), researchers at the University of Louisville have demonstrated that children with complete spinal cord injuries were able to take voluntary steps following a course of non-invasive spinal neuromodulation combined with specialised rehabilitation training.
Five children aged between 6 and 12, all living with chronic, motor-complete spinal cord injuries (meaning no voluntary movement or sensation below the injury), participated in the study. Each completed 60 sessions of activity-based locomotor training (ABLT) paired with transcutaneous spinal stimulation (scTS)—electrical currents delivered through the skin over key areas of the spine—while focusing their intent on stepping movements.
By the 20th training session, all five children could generate rhythmic, step-like leg movements in a gravity-neutral setting. By the 50th or 60th session, all were able to initiate alternating steps overground, some both with and without stimulation.
“In children with chronic, motor-complete SCI, multimodal neuromodulation training can potentiate the intrinsic stepping capacity of the spinal locomotor centres,” the authors wrote. “Remarkably, these enhancements were durable and observed even in the absence of spinal stimulation.”
Follow-up testing three to six months later showed that the children retained the ability to step voluntarily. Families also reported improvements in sensation, balance, bladder control and ease of standing and transferring—all unexpected outcomes.
What this means
The children in this study didn’t yet walk on their own—but they did regain voluntary control of their leg movements. That means they could intentionally move their legs in a stepping pattern, showing that the spinal cord’s internal “walking circuits” can still work even years after a complete injury. It’s a vital step toward restoring independent walking, which also requires strength, balance and endurance.
The researchers believe this approach activates the spinal cord’s built-in locomotor networks, effectively “reawakening” communication pathways within the spinal cord even without signals from the brain. The inclusion of cognitive intent—children consciously focusing on the act of stepping—may have further enhanced recovery by engaging descending brain pathways.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that the spinal cord is far more adaptable than once believed. While these children did not regain independent walking, the restoration of voluntary stepping after years of paralysis represents a profound step forward for spinal cord injury science.
“The beneficial response of children with chronic spinal cord injury to training is unexpected,” said lead author Professor Andrea Behrman. “These findings point to long-term changes in neural circuits that could have therapeutic value.”
Similar research is now underway in Australia through SpinalCure’s Project Spark, which is supporting rigorous clinical trials of non-invasive spinal neuromodulation in adults with spinal cord injury. Together, these studies are helping to map the path toward restoring movement and function after paralysis.
And most importantly we are delighted to see that the daily lives of these children has been improved.
Published research paper is here: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf115