For decades doctors and researchers have dabbled with using electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to help restore movement in people with paralysis. The technique, when combined with physical therapy, has even allowed some patients with complete paralysis to walk again.
Many of the stimulation technologies developed over the years were originally designed for treating pain and later repurposed for restoring movement. The downside to this approach is that these technologies failed to stimulate the specific nerves in the spinal cord that control movement in the legs and trunk.
Courtine explains that while the treatment effects of his group’s device are immediate, at first, the patients did require additional body weight support, which consisted of either two parallel bars on the ground or on a treadmill. After one to three more days, however, they were actually able to walk, again using a support aid. And after a few months, they improved at performing other motor activities, including cycling, canoeing, and even standing up and having a drink at a bar.
Absolutely splendid news.
😳😮☺️C’est une belle avancée!