For people living with spinal cord injury (SCI), blood pressure instability, characterized by chronic orthostatic hypotension and episodes of autonomic dysreflexia, is a key unmet need. According to research, 78% of people living with tetraplegia are diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension, yet only 28% receive treatment. Of those, 91% continue to experience symptoms including dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and fatigue.
Over time, persistent low blood pressure can threaten neurological recovery and negatively impact cardiovascular health. Dr. Candy Tefertiller, Executive Director of Research and Evaluation at Craig Hospital and Empower BP Principal Investigator, explains: “Blood pressure instability is a silent yet debilitating complication of spinal cord injury, with serious consequences for cardiovascular health and quality of life.”
To address this need, ONWARD Medical launched Empower BP, a global pivotal study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of its investigational implantable ARC-IM® System to address blood pressure instability after SCI. The system comprises the implanted ONWARD Medical Neurostimulator and a purpose-designed Thoracic Lead, optimized for surgical placement in the specific region of the thoracic spinal cord containing a high density of neurons that regulate blood pressure.
Empower BP is expected to involve participants across approximately 20 leading neurorehabilitation and neurosurgical research centers in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. The randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study targets people with injuries at spinal cord levels
C2-T6 and injury severities of AIS A-D. Several participants have already been enrolled in the study across leading research facilities. 13 centers are now actively recruiting study participants across the US and Canada.
This pivotal trial is supported by data from ONWARD Medical’s ongoing multi-year feasibility studies. As published in Nature Medicine, preliminary findings show ARC-IM Therapy reduced hypotensive symptoms, improved quality of life and sleep quality, and enabled cessation of conservative treatments including compression garments and medications. Additional clinical validation is expected through the Empower BP trial.
Learn more about Empower BP: https://onwd.com/empower-bp/
Read about the real-life impact of the investigational ARC-IM device here: Core Memory
The Reeve Foundation’s partnership with ONWARD Medical is furthered by grants to .NeuroRestore, an ONWARD Medical research partner, to investigate epidural stimulation as a potential tool for managing bladder dysfunction and also a study of novel brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to reverse upper limb paralysis. ONWARD Medical is also supported by SCI Ventures. This enduring partnership reflects forward-thinking collaboration between nonprofits and industry to drive innovation.
ARC-IM® is investigational and not available for commercial use. Its safety and effectiveness have not yet been established.
Powering Through is a new podcast hosted by quadriplegic content creator and mom, Jessie Owen. This series explores what happens when identity, independence, and your imagined future shift overnight. Through candid conversations about spinal cord injury, each episode offers an honest and unfiltered look at creating a life that’s genuinely worth showing up for.
Previous episodes feature SCI community figures such as Kenny Salvini, Rebecca Koltun, Cairo Smith, and Mason Branstrator.
Powering Through is supported by ONWARD Medical and is available on all your favorite platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
