Plenty of bad news circulating so check out this inspirational story highlighted in Science magazine.
Researchers reveal that patients were able to stand and walk within a day of initiating spinal implant treatment, and could even perform recreational activities like swimming and cycling!
What researchers are excited about is a new spinal implant that allowed three fully paralyzed people who, according to test results, “had their independent motor activity restored by an implant that directly stimulates the nerves controlling trunk and leg movements.”
The next step is conducting clinical trials along with ongoing research and they seek to find a realistic path for individuals with spinal cord injuries.”
“This [result] I would call a big deal,” says Vivian Mushahwar, a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, who was not involved in the work.
“This adds a level of refinement that allows for these approaches … to make it to the clinic and hopefully help a large number of people.”
Amazing. Simply amazing.
“That is remarkable to see within 1 day with a severe injury like this,” says Megan Gill, a research physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic who was not involved in the study. Previous studies have shown leg movements early on for people with complete paralysis, but this is the first time Gill has heard of such patients stepping their legs in an upright, “loaded” position in the first day of therapy.
Read more here.
