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2026-07-28 00:00 Switzerland Clinical Launch & Registration Translated from EN

EPFL launches clinical study of brain-controlled spinal cord stimulation for lower-limb recovery

Summary Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a clinical study evaluating the preliminary safety and effectiveness of a cortical recording device (ECoG) combined with lumbar targeted epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to restore voluntary lower-limb motor function in participants with chronic spinal cord injury and mobility impairment. The study aims to establish a direct bridge between motor intention and the spinal cord below the lesion, potentially improving or restoring voluntary leg control and promoting neurological recovery when combined with neurorehabilitation.
Why it matters This study is among the first to combine cortical recording with spinal cord stimulation, forming a brain-spine interface to restore lower-limb movement in chronic spinal cord injury. It is an early-stage trial that will test the safety and preliminary effectiveness of this approach.

BCIwiki (bciwiki.com) — Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a clinical study evaluating the preliminary safety and effectiveness of a cortical recording device (ECoG) combined with lumbar targeted epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to restore voluntary lower-limb motor function in participants with chronic spinal cord injury and mobility impairment. The study is based in Switzerland and is currently listed as "not yet recruiting."

The goal is to establish a direct bridge between the participant's motor intention and the spinal cord below the lesion, which could improve or restore voluntary control of leg movement and, when combined with neurorehabilitation, promote neurological recovery. The trial uses the ARC-BSI Lumbar system and targets conditions including spinal cord injuries and paraplegia. The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT06243952.

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