Can electrical stimulation help people with spinal cord injuries?
Researchers at Brown University have made a breakthrough in helping people with spinal cord injuries regain muscle control and sensory feedback using electrical stimulation. A recent study found that the technology can partially restore motor function and provide sensory feedback simultaneously.
A team of researchers at Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, and VA Providence Healthcare conducted a two-week clinical trial with three people who had lost control of their limbs due to spinal cord injuries. The study used electrode arrays implanted above and below the injury site to deliver electrical stimulation, which partially restored muscle control and provided sensory feedback. Participants were able to accurately report the position of their legs when blindfolded and detect when their feet touched and left the ground while walking on a treadmill. The technology has the potential to restore fine motor control and improve the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The researchers believe that with further development, the technology could become a natural part of the body's functioning. The study's findings were published in Nature Biomedical Engineering in March.
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