Spinal Cord Injury Research

A man undergoing therapy with the help of a robotic exoskeleton and a therapist at a rehabilitation center. The therapist wears a jacket with

Innovation that’s accessible

We believe groundbreaking research should benefit everyone — in real time. That’s why our lab focuses on practical solutions that combine science-based rehabilitation with neuromodulation technologies — methods that use electrical, mechanical, or magnetic stimulation to help the nervous system relearn and restore function. From new ways to use electrical stimulation tools found in most physical therapy clinics to customized home-based training circuits, we develop interventions that can be replicated and scaled.

Our research comes to life in therapy gyms and clinical trials, yielding real-world outcomes that help individuals reclaim mobility, independence, and quality of life. From restoring hand function to improving walking ability and managing spasticity, our work is changing what’s expected and what’s possible after a spinal cord injury (SCI).

Four women pose together indoors by large windows; two are standing and two are seated in wheelchairs. A city skyline is visible in the background.
A man is walking across a gym floor with the aid of a walking cane, while a physical therapist closely supports him from behind. The gym has a blue railing on the upper level and various equipment visible in the background.
A physical therapist assists a patient using a standing wheelchair in a rehabilitation center. The patient, equipped with supportive straps and knee pads, smiles while the therapist monitors progress on a tablet. Other patients are in the background receiving therapy.
Our SCI researchers combinine science-based rehabilitation with neuromodulation technologies to help the nervous system relearn and restore function. From therapy gyms to clinical trials, these interventions deliver real-world outcomes, helping individuals reclaim mobility, independence, and quality of life.

Why Shepherd leads in SCI research

  • Settling for more, not less: We push the boundaries of what’s possible in SCI rehabilitation and recovery. As one of just 18 federally designated Spinal Cord Injury Model System Centers, our combination of pioneering research, clinical care, and data-driven innovation sets us apart and accelerates the conversion of theories into practice.
  • Deep expertise, high impact: With more SCI patients than any other Model System Center and some of the longest lengths of stay, Shepherd Center is uniquely positioned to address both typical and medically complex cases. This high volume translates into unmatched clinical insight and a robust foundation for research, training, and innovation.
  • Translational research that reaches the clinic: Led by Dr. Edelle Field-Fote, a renowned neuroscientist and physical therapist, our team bridges basic science and real-world care. Whether investigating the neuromodulation approaches like transcutaneous spinal stimulation and non-invasive brain stimulation or training clinicians across the country, we ensure the latest discoveries are applied where they matter most: in clinics, in home, and in everyday life.

They’re just eager. You know, a lot of people go to work and do their job and do the bare minimum. But you don’t get that here, and you definitely don’t get that with research. They’re happy to be here, but they’re also ready to find something to help somebody — to find a new breakthrough.

Hannah Johnston, Mississippi SCI Research Participant

Areas of breakthrough research

Our SCI research is about reimagining what is possible. Our teams collaborate across disciplines to develop and test new therapies, technologies, and approaches that restore function, improve health, and support independence. Our research spans:

We investigate therapies that restore movement, strength, sensation, and coordination after SCI. From advanced rehabilitation therapies to neuromodulation and robotics, our goal is to help patients achieve greater independence in daily life.

SCI can bring challenges beyond mobility, such as spasticity, pain, cardiovascular health, bladder and bowel function, and pressure injuries. Our research explores new treatments and prevention strategies that improve comfort, safety, and long-term health outcomes.

We study how rehabilitation supports meaningful life goals — returning to school or work, engaging in recreation, rebuilding relationships, and participating fully in communities. Our findings guide therapies that foster resilience and quality of life.

From developing rehabilitation therapies that promote neuroplasticity to advancing the design of neuromodulation technologies, we bring promising therapies from the lab to the clinic. Our team collaborates nationally and internationally to ensure discoveries become real-world solutions for patients and caregivers.

A woman with short brown hair, wearing a gray suit and navy top, sits smiling on a stool in a bright, modern physical therapy or medical office with exercise equipment in the background.

Meet the SCI research scientists

What does turtle scratching have to do with breakthrough SCI research? Quite a lot actually. Dr. Edelle Field-Fote’s scientific journey began during her PhD, studying how turtles with completely severed spinal cords produced elegant, coordinated scratching movements. Today, she leads our SCI research team, translating complex science into effective clinical practice to promote functional restoration and improve quality of life for our patients and beyond.

Typically, a scientist will disseminate their work through scientific presentations and papers, and we definitely do that, but we also are very committed to teaching clinicians directly, so patients can benefit from cutting-edge discoveries today.

Edelle Field-Fote, PT, Ph.D., FAPTA, FASIA Director of Spinal Cord Injury Research; The Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Laboratory

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