eWALK: Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation to improve walking in people with incomplete spinal cord injury
Directed by Prof Simon Gandevia FAA at NeuRA in Sydney, the eWALK trial (ACTRN12620001241921) is a globally important clinical trial testing the efficacy of transcutaneous spinal stimulation to improve the ability to stand and walk in people with paraplegia. This is a multi-centred, double-blind randomised sham-controlled clinical trial—an important missing element in the global scientific evidence supporting neurostimulation for SCI.
The trial was instigated by SpinalCure and is funded in partnership with CatWalk NZ, with further support from Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.
Participants were recruited in Sydney, Melbourne and at three international centres—in Toledo (Spain), Chicago (USA), and Glasgow (UK)—bringing the total cohort to 50 participants.
The primary outcome is walking ability, measured using the ‘Walking Index for SCI II’ scale (WISCI II). All participants received intensive locomotor training comprising three sessions per week, over 12 weeks, in combination with either stimulation or sham stimulation. Secondary outcome measures will capture different aspects of recovery, strength, spasticity, and bowel function.
Recruitment has now closed for this trial with 48 volunteers having successfully completed the treatments. Results are due to be announced at ISCoS in Sweden in October 2025.
