•OEC transplantation trials have been taking place around the world for the past 20 years with some amazing successes. What has been realised is that for any cell transplantation therapy that occurs, rehabilitation, or as we call it "Sustained Functional Therapy" (SFT) also needs to take place. Those trials that did not employ SFT did usually not see improvement in their patients.
•SFT (rehabilitation) takes the form of assisted exercises or activity based therapy that moves the entire body. This can take place in different forms such as Locomotor training; Load bearing; Functional Electrical Stimulation therapy; Resistance training and Aerobic fitness.
•Sustained functional therapy involves neuroplasticity and retrains and enhances the existing neural circuits in the brain and spinal cord and strengthens the newly created connections in an injury site that has been transplanted with an OEC construct.
•For our animal studies, we use non-invasive tests such as 'open field test', 'ladder rung tests', and DigiGait™ analysis and mouse wheels. For humans, we are working with industry partners such as Making Strides, and The Next Step to help patients undergo SFT/rehabilitation.