In a significant medical development, a new non-invasive treatment using electrical pulses has shown promise in restoring hand and arm movement for people with paralysis. The breakthrough technique, tested on 60 participants, enabled 43 patients who have been paralyzed from the neck down to experience some improvement in arm and hand function.
This pioneering method involves the application of high-frequency electrical pulses through electrodes placed around the affected area, enhancing the brain’s signals to the nerves responsible for movement in the hands and arms. Through this process, patients have reported gains in strength and ability to perform daily tasks that were previously unmanageable.
One of the early beneficiaries of this treatment, Melanie Reid, a 67-year-old journalist from London, has seen considerable improvements in her ability to handle everyday objects post-therapy, which included two months of combined electrical stimulation and intensive physiotherapy. Reid sustained a spinal injury 14 years prior that severely limited the movement of her arms, especially her left hand.
The treatment’s long-term effectiveness, however, remains under investigation, as researchers work to discern how much of the improvement is a direct result of the electrical stimulation and how much can be attributed to the physical therapy and personal motivation of participating in the study.
Source: Yahoo! Voices