The Challenge
More than 20,000 Australians live with spinal cord injury (SCI), with an estimated lifetime cost of $75.4 billion. Traditionally, it was believed that a damaged spinal cord could not be repaired. Project Spark aims to challenge this by delivering a a potential treatment option that can be rolled out easily and inexpensively across Australia
Project Overview
Project Spark encompasses clinical trials (eWALK 1, Get a Grip, eWALK 2) testing neurostimulation as an experimental therapy for SCI. These trials use non-invasive neurostimulation via electrodes placed on the skin to enhance spinal cord function by sending electrical pulses into nerves around the injury, facilitating communication between the brain and body.
- eWALK 1: Aims to restore walking ability in incomplete paraplegics.
- Get a Grip: Aims to improve hand, arm, and respiratory function in people with quadriplegia.
- eWALK 2: An expanded Phase 3 trial treating 142 incomplete quadriplegics and paraplegics, commencing mid-2024.
Project Outcomes
The key outcomes of Project Spark are to start and refine a rigorous data set with respect to neurostimulation to determine its potential as a new treatment option for SCI. Once this is determined, another major outcome is to secure regulatory approval from the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) to enable a widespread roll-out of the treatment to SCI patients nationally.
Measuring Impact
Hearts and Minds measures its impact across six core categories as developed by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes. Key highlights include:
Advancing Knowledge
- Collaborations: Partnerships with insurance commissions, NSW Health, the Australian Federal Government, and various SCI organisations.
- Publications: Members of the research team have had their research published in a number of well-regarded SCI-focused medical journals.
- Presentations: Delivered a total of eight presentations at local and global SCI research conferences.
- Community Engagement: SpinalCure has led and been involved in numerous events and campaigns.
Research Capacity Building
- Fellowships: SpinalCure introduced the I. Peter Farell SpinalCure Fellowship to support an outstanding early/mid-career researcher in conducting innovative research aimed at finding a cure for SCI.
- Support and Mentorship: The research team includes two PhD students and one Honours student. In the wider Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre (SCIRC) at NeuRA, there are three PhD students and one Honours student.
Health Impacts
- Improved Health Status: Initial feedback indicates improved health and quality of life for trial participants. Read more about Sheree's story here.
- Improved Healthcare System: Meaningful treatments mean reducing the burden of SCI on the healthcare system.
- Expansion of National Training and Education: Training videos for eWALK 1, Get a Grip, and eWALK 2 have been created for researchers and therapists. These resources support the ongoing national expansion of the experimental therapy.
Economic Impacts
- Cost Savings: Reducing healthcare costs and delivering significant savings to the economy. A key finding of the report "Spinal Cord Injuries in Australia – The case for investing in new treatments" shows that a 10% reversal of paralysis could deliver $3.5 billion in cost savings, with the potential to be as high as $10.3 billion.
- Strong Support: Additional funding through fundraisers, philanthropists, and other partnerships.
Project Spark aims to revolutionise SCI treatment through neurostimulation, offering hope for recovery and improved quality of life for SCI patients.
Funding support from Hearts and Minds Investments, as nominated by Core Fund Manager, Caledonia.
This content was last updated in July 2024, for further information and updates, visit SpinalCure Australia.
