.NeuroRestore’s breakthrough in robotics and spinal stimulation restores mobility after paralysis

A research team at .NeuroRestore (EPFL/CHUV/UNIL) has developed an innovative rehabilitation approach that combines robotic-assisted therapy with spinal cord stimulation, offering new hope for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injuries often result in severe and permanent mobility impairments. While rehabilitation robotics—which assist movement during therapy—have improved patient training, they are limited in their ability to reactivate the nervous system. Without active muscle engagement, robotic therapy alone does not lead to long-term recovery.

A team led by Professors Grégoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch has now developed a fully integrated system that combines an implanted spinal cord neuroprosthesis with robotic rehabilitation. This approach delivers precise electrical pulses to stimulate muscles in sync with robotic movements, promoting natural and coordinated activity. The project also leveraged the robotics expertise of Professor Auke Ijspeert’s lab at EPFL, ensuring seamless synchronization between spinal stimulation and robotic assistance.

Unlike conventional functional electrical stimulation, the biomimetic epidural stimulation used in this system mimics natural nerve signals, activating motor neurons more efficiently. Wireless sensors detect limb motion in real time, automatically adjusting stimulation to match each movement phase. This ensures a fluid, adaptive rehabilitation experience, benefiting both clinical therapy and daily activities.

Transforming rehabilitation standards

The team tested their approach with five individuals with spinal cord injuries. The results showed immediate and sustained muscle activation, with participants regaining voluntary movement even after the stimulation was turned off. Beyond controlled settings, participants successfully used the system to walk with a rollator and cycle outdoors, proving its effectiveness in real-world conditions.

To ensure broad clinical adoption, the researchers worked with multiple rehabilitation centers to integrate their technology into widely used robotic systems, including treadmills, exoskeletons, and stationary bikes.

“We visited rehabilitation centers to test our stimulation technology with their robotic systems, and it was incredibly rewarding to see their enthusiasm,” explains .NeuroRestore researcher Nicolas Hankov and BioRob researcher Miroslav Caban. “Our approach integrates seamlessly with existing rehabilitation protocols, making it easy to deploy across different clinical environments.”

A new era for mobility restoration

This groundbreaking fusion of neuroprosthetics and robotics presents a major step forward in paralysis rehabilitation. By enabling dynamic, interactive therapy, the technology improves muscle engagement, accelerates recovery, and enhances patient independence.

While further clinical trials will assess long-term benefits, initial findings suggest that integrating spinal cord stimulation with robotic therapy could redefine standard rehabilitation protocols, making movement restoration more effective and widely accessible.