Project Spark is a research program of clinical trials and studies across Australia. The objective is to test, validate and develop neurostimulation treatments for people with a spinal cord injury.

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 extremely encouraging results.

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 if the clinical trials support it.

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.

However, missing from this evidence has been the scientifically rigourous clinical trials required to validate these results and to support any application for approval of a treatment. Project Spark came to supply this missing element.

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: This trial aims to improve hand, arm and respiratory function for people with quadriplegia. This study is currently recruiting at multiple centres in Sydney, and in Perth, Canberra, Wollongong and Auckland NZ. More trail sites will come online as recruitment requires.
3. eWALK 2.0: An expanded phase 3 trial treating 142 incomplete quadriplegics and paraplegics across the country. Recruiting now in multiple centres.
4. RULLI. A fourth study exploring a combination of neurostimulation and acute intermittent hypoxia to improve the arm, hand and respiratory function in people with quadriplegia. Recruiting in Melbourne.

Neurostimulation has the potential to improve life-changing function. By volunteering you help progress the research and could possibly benefit physically. Volunteers have been extremely enthusiastic about their experience with many eWALK participants wishing to sign up for eWALK. In addition to the potential benefits of neurostimulation, volunteers also receive several weeks of cutting edge physical therapy.

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 centre three times a week, for a six week period, where stimulation would be applied for a half hour treatment session.

No. 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.

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 second of our trials – the Get a Grip Trial – is actually testing two different types of stimulation, and with both complete and incomplete quadriplegics.

The third trial (funded by an MRFF grant) is our first to test a combination therapy in the hope of an even more effective treatment. It will be comparing the benefits of neurostimulation alone, acute intermittent hypoxia (another therapeutic option) alone, and with a combination of the two.

We are on the verge of being able to make the unbelievable, believable hence we’re doubling down on our push to fund these trials and change lives.