In October 2019, Jack announced our goal to fully fund the world’s largest spinal neuromodulation clinical trial focused on recovering hand function for people living with quadriplegia.

Our research partner is Dr. Reggie Edgerton (UCLA Medical Center), the world’s pioneer and foremost expert in spinal neuromodulation treatment for paralysis recovery.

To date (April 2022) the first 20 of 24 patients are receiving paralysis recovery treatment using transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Each patient receives treatment in two phases: (1) a 4-week session of treatment delivered in a medical clinic, followed by (2) a 4-week home-based treatment phase where patients and the caregivers self-administer the transcutaneous stimulation.

Every patient has responded positively to the treatment; the extent of response and recovery of function is currently still under study.

Meet the first 20 patients

Chris P, a 39 year old male injured 10 years ago when he was 29. His injury is at C6/C7 on his spinal column and is assessed as ASI – A complete paralysis below the point of injury.

Cecilia V, a 37 year old female injured 17 years ago when she was 20. Her injury is at C6/C7 and is assessed as ASI -C.

Ryley H, a 23 year old male injured 4 years ago when he was 19. His injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI -B.

Ross M, a 51-year-old male injured 13 years ago when he was 38. His injury is at C5/C7 and is assessed as ASI – A.

Cindy S, a 69 year old female injured 3 years ago when she was 66. Her injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI – C.

Dustin B, a 38 year old male injured 2 years ago when he was 37. His injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI – A.

Anthony G-S, a 29 year old male injured 1 year ago when he was 28. His injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI -A.

Jamie W, a 51 year old male injured 17 years ago when he was 34. His injury is at C5 and is assessed as ASI – B.

Christine P, a 36 year old female injured 15 years ago when she was 21. Her injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI – B.

David S, a 62 year old male injured 11 years ago when he was 51. His injury is at C4 and is assessed as ASI – A.

Laura G, a 45 year old female injured 2 years ago when she was 43. Her injury is at C7 and is assessed as ASI – B.

Rick K, a 63 year old male injured 25 years ago when he was 38. His injury is at C5 and is assessed as ASI – C.

Rod A, a 51 year old male injured 3 years ago when he was 48. His injury is at C5 and is assessed as ASI – C.

Julio C, a 54 year old male injured 4 years ago when he was 50. His injury is at C5 and is assessed as ASI – B.

Jonathan J, a 34 year old male injured 9 years ago when he was 25. His injury is at C5 and is assessed as ASI – B.

Ajay S, a 24 year old male injured 3 years ago when he was 21. His injury is at C7 and is assessed as ASI – C.

Jack J, a 25 year old male injured 10 years ago when he was 16. His injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI – A/B.

Nancy B, a 32 year old female injured 5 years ago when she was 27. Her injury is at C5/C6 and is assessed as ASI – B/C.

Hugo B, a 69 year old male injured 2 years ago at age 67. His injury is at C6/C7 and is assessed as ASI – D.

Megan M, a 27 year old female injured 2 years ago at age 25. Her injury is at C4/C5 and is assesses as ASI – A.

What is an ASI assessment of impairment for a spinal cord injury

The severity of paralysis is measured using an ASIA IMPAIRMENT SCALE (AIS) SCORE. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale is a standardized neurological examination used to assess the sensory and motor levels affected by a spinal cord injury. The scale has five classification levels, ranging from complete loss of neural function in the affected area to completely normal.

ASI Grade A: The impairment is complete. There is no motor or sensory function left below the level of injury.

ASI Grade B: The impairment is incomplete. Sensory function, but not motor function, is preserved below the injury level and some sensation is preserved.

ASI Grade C: The impairment is incomplete. Motor function is preserved below the injury level, but more than half of the key muscles below the injury level have a muscle grade less than 3 (i.e., they are not strong enough to move against gravity).

ASI Grade D: The impairment is incomplete. Motor function is preserved below the injury level, and at least half of the key muscles below the injury level have a muscle grade of 3 or more (i.e., the joints can be moved against gravity).

ASI Grade E: Functions are normal. All motor and sensory functions are unhindered.