A new procedure may provide individuals with spinal cord injuries renewed hope for one day walking again. The treatment is called transcutaneous stimulation, and recent trials have allowed five individuals with paralysis the ability to move their legs. By providing electrical currents to the spinal cord using a small external device and electrodes, damaged nerve cells are reactivated, allowing step-like movements or even the ability to stand.

Other similar treatments involve surgeries and internal devices called epidural stimulators. Epidural stimulators, which also provide electrical currents, are normally implanted in the abdomen. For individuals who have been through numerous surgeries, a noninvasive option is more favorable.

Is Science On The Cusp Of Curing Paralysis From Spinal Cord Injuries?

According to a researcher with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, current trials suggest spinal cord injuries may not be a lifelong sentence of paralysis.

Researchers see a lot of promise in transcutaneous stimulation. During the experimental trial, five men were instructed to attempt leg movements and standing for 45 minutes with the help of support braces suspended from the ceiling. The men were also provided with buspirone, a medication that acts like the neurotransmitter serotonin. Buspirone has been shown to promote movement in mice with spinal cord injuries.

For individuals injured in accidents, transcutaneous simulation might offer renewed hope of achieving greater independence. Transcutaneous stimulation is one of many treatments for spinal cord injuries currently being researched.

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