Electric stimulation to the spinal cord helps paralysed man move again

New Delhi: Electric stimulation delivered to the spine has helped scientists to enable a 32-year-old paralysed man stand on his feet and move again.

The man was left paralysed from the waist down after a tragic motorcycle accident, and completely severed his spine in the crash as well.

Despite 80 sessions of regular physiotherapy, doctors could see no progress.

According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, doctors were able to re-awaken his nerves using spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES).

Researchers at the University of Louisville in the US placed a stimulator inside the body and wired it to the central pattern generator (CPG) – a mini-brain within the spinal cord that is able to interpret sensory information and move muscles accordingly.

When switched on it sends commands such as 'move my right leg' which awaken nerve cells in the spinal cord and eventually, over time, allow new neural pathways to form to the brain.

After 44 months of training the patient was able to stand independently, even when the device was not switched on and move his limbs, The Telegraph reported.

"These findings show the remarkable recovery potential of the human nervous system after chronic clinically motor complete spinal cord injury and have clear implications for the rehabilitation community," said Susan Harkema from the University of Louisville.

(With PTI inputs)