The Insurance Commission of WA has partnered with non-profit SpinalCure to improve spinal cord injury recovery.

It will provide $400,000 to the research group to increase participation in trials.  

About 2000 West Australians live with spinal cord injuries, and more than one-fifth of the state’s Catastrophic Injuries Support Scheme participants have such injuries after a vehicle crash or work incident.

“Our goal is to support research that will improve independence and quality of life for people injured in a crash or a work,” outgoing commission CEO Rod Whithear said. “We look forward to seeing how the clinical trials progress.”

The commission is sponsoring SpinalCure’s Project Spark over the next three years, supporting research, including helping regional trial participants to travel.

The trials aim to develop neurostimulation therapies, using electrical pulses to improve movement or control for people with paralysis.

“No one should have to live their life in a wheelchair. Research is the key to providing that hope,” SpinalCure executive director Duncan Wallace said.