Spinal Cord Stimulation Helped Paralyzed People Walk and Swim

Researchers from Switzerland have recovered motor functions in three individuals with complete paralysis due to spinal cord injury (SCI) and enabled them to walk, control trunk movements, swim, and cycle within a day using epidural electrical stimulation (EES). In addition, neurorehabilitation for five months helped the participants stand, walk, perform exercises, paddle, and cycle independently in a community setting. Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) EES was initially developed to treat pain utilizing paddle leads consisting of electrodes that stimulate the dorsal column.

EES restoring walking ability in individuals with SCI has been reported for the past three decades. However, it required months of extensive training with the help of physical therapists and EES being implanted over the lumbosacral spinal cord. Several studies indicated that EES applied to the dorsal roots by…