Matt Hampson's rehab centre helps test ground-breaking new spinal cord treatment
Matt Hampson’s rehabilitation centre at Burrough-on-the-Hill is taking part in a programme to test a ground-breaking new spinal cord treatment for people who are paralysed.
Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to curing paralysis, has launched the project using the ARC-EX system, which combines targeted electrical spinal cord stimulation with rehabilitation exercises to help restore strength, movement and independence.
Developed by Onward Medical, it has been shown in clinical trials to improve hand strength and sensation in people with chronic cervical spinal cord injuries.
The charity is creating a network of specialist rehabilitation centres to look at the real-world impact of this exciting technology, starting with the Get Busy Living Centre – the flagship site for the Matt Hampson Foundation.
Founder Matt, who was paralysed from the neck down in a rugby training accident aged just 20, said: “We always aim to be innovative and pioneering in the support we provide our beneficiaries so we are delighted to be selected for participation in this programme with Spinal Research.
“As a Foundation, it is rewarding to be selected to work alongside teams with different expertise and experiences, all trying to develop treatments which could make such a difference to someone with a spinal injury.”
The Matt Hampson Foundation inspires and supports young people following life-changing injury through sport, providing expert physical and emotional rehabilitation, wellbeing, mentorship and community support.
It’s head of operations, Sophie Wilson, who was paralysed following a diving accident eight years ago, is one of those using the ARC-EX as part of the real-world programme.
Spinal Research chief executive, Louisa McGinn, commented: “We have been part of Onward’s journey from the start and it’s incredible to see that hope is now turning into real progress.
“The message is clear: if we get the funding, the next few years could change everything for people with spinal cord injuries.
“And today is an example of how we are building a national force for that change.
"The UK can become the first country in the world to create a connected, data-driven spinal repair ecosystem turning research breakthroughs into real-world recovery which will transform the treatment and rehabilitation landscape for paralysed people in the UK.”
The Programme is part of the new Spinal Research Recovery Alliance which brings together researchers, clinicians, industry and charity partners with the spinal cord injured community to speed up progress from the lab to real world impact – the ARC-EX system is the first dedicated treatment for a spinal cord injury approved by regulators.
Three more specialist rehabilitation centres - in Yorkshire, the North East and South West – will soon join the programme and Spinal Research is launching a major fundraising campaign to expand its reach nationwide.
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spina cord injury. It can happen to anyone at any time with devastating consequences.
Ms McGinn added: “The next five years present an unprecedented opportunity to change what’s possible for people living with spinal cord injuries.
“Breakthrough therapies are nearing clinical reality, and frontier technologies - from AI and robotics to gene therapy - are creating bold and quicker new pathways toward repair and recovery.”