Ongoing Projects

• Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS): We employ transcutaneous electrical stimulation, a novel, non-invasive strategy, to modulate spinal circuitry. Our current projects aim to develop translational applications of this non-invasive cervical and lumbar spinal stimulation with physical therapy for long-term improvement of walking and standing in people with spinal cord injury. We integrate body weight support treadmill system, other rehabilitation technology and intensive exercise into our approach to facilitate the locomotion restoration.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation and Therapy for Locomotion
  By evaluating functional mobility, voluntary control of muscle activity via electromyogram, kinematic parameters via 3D motion capture with this intervention, we are investigating the effect of spinal stimulation on motor control leading improvements of daily activities.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation and Therapy for Improved Motor Function and Autonomic Control
  Patients with SCI can experience autonomic dysreflexia (AD), characterized by an uncoordinated physiological response to noxious stimuli below the level of their injury. We are investigating the effect of spinal stimulation paired with exercise using an arm bike on blood pressure control in patients with SCI.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation for Autonomic Recovery in Inpatient Rehabilitation After Acute SCI
  Our most recent project aims to examine the effects of spinal cord stimulation for patients in the acute or subacute stage of SCI on autonomic recovery.