Electrical stimulation therapy helps paralyzed patients move again

Some researchers from Toronto Canada have discovered a way to help paralyzed patients move again. They have just posted a study online detailing a functional electrical stimulation therapy that increased paralyzed patients’ ability to pick up and hold objects. Using a pocket-sized electric stimulator that generates low-intensity electrical pulses, the stimulator will stimulate the muscles in a patient’s limb to move. After many repetitions, the nervous system is supposed to have relearned the motion and will be able to activate the required muscles on its own without the device. The experiment has been proven to work, though in cases where it was supplemented with regular therapy, it was more effective. If things continue getting better, paralysis may no longer be a problem in the future.

George Wong
Categories: Medical