Spinal cord stimulation may enable recovery of volitional motor control in people with
chronic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). In this study we explored the effects of adding SCS, applied
transcutaneously (tSCS) at vertebral levels T10/11, to a sit-to-stand training intervention in people
with motor complete and incomplete SCI. Nine people with chronic SCI (six motor complete; three
motor incomplete) participated in an 8-week intervention, incorporating three training sessions per
week. Participants received either tSCS combined with sit-to-stand training (STIM) or sit-to-stand
training alone (NON-STIM). Outcome measures were carried out before and after the intervention.
Seven participants completed the intervention (STIM N = 5; NON-STIM N = 2). Post training,
improvements in International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury
(ISNCSCI) motor scores were noted in three STIM participants (range 1.0–7.0), with no change
in NON-STIM participants. Recovery of volitional lower limb muscle activity and/or movement
(with tSCS off) was noted in three STIM participants. Unassisted standing was not achieved in any
participant, although standing with minimal assistance was achieved in one STIM participant. This
pilot study has shown that the recruitment of participants, intervention and outcome measures were
all feasible in this study design. However, some modifications are recommended for a larger trial
