Table 1 Timeline and milestones for clinical recovery, including date of initial injury and prior longitudinal studies with TG

Phase 1: Motor fMRI Study (D'Arcy et al. 2016)

2006/03

Initial injury. Prognosis: permanent vegetative state

2007/09

Fully conscious

2007–2010

Intensive physical therapy

 MRI 1

2010/05

Stands at wall-mounted bar without safety harness

 MRI 2

2010/08

Takes steps inside parallel bar with harness and assistance

 MRI 3

2010/11

No longer needed lift to get into MRI machine

 MRI 4

2011/02

Stands and pivots with assistance

 MRI 5

2011/05

Stands for 2 min with knee blocks

 MRI 6

2011/08

Stands for 6 min with knee blocks and assistance

 MRI 7

2011/11

Stands for 10 min with knee blocks assistance

 MRI 8

2012/02

Stands for 30 s without knee blocks or assistance

 MRI 9

2012/05

Sits without support

 MRI 10

2012/08

Stands with walker

 MRI 11

2012/11

Takes steps inside parallel bar with assistance

 MRI 12

2013/02

Takes steps with walker with assistance

Phase 2: Current Study

2012–2013

PT with Lokomat device

2014–2015

PT with ReWalk exoskeleton device

2016–2018

Plateau in Recovery

2018/04

Intensive physical therapy treatment begins

 1st baseline (B1)

2018/07

2 min timed stand − moderate support

FIST Score—13

 2nd baseline (B2)

2018/10

1 min timed stand − moderate support

FIST Score—19

 3rd baseline (B3)

2019/04

FIST Score—12

Continued plateau in recovery coupled with lack of motivation and intensity

2019/04

Physical therapy + translingual neurostimulation begins

 1st treatment assessment (T1)

2019/05

20 min timed stand − moderate support

FIST score—21

 2nd treatment assessment (T2)

2019/07

20 min timed stand − minimal support

FIST Score—33

Deep breathing improved—was able to blow up a balloon for the first time

Renewed motivation and intensity to engage in therapy activities

2019+

Ongoing physical therapy + translingual neurostimulation