Issues & Experts >
Issues & Experts Archive > Paralysis breakthrough
Paralysis breakthrough
Document Tools
May 20, 2011
Paralysis breakthrough
For the first time, a man paralyzed from the waist down has made an 'unprecedented' recovery, taking steps on a treadmill and regaining other key functions. The treatment could potentially allow 10 per cent to 15 per cent of people with spinal cord injuries to regain some use of their legs. The research, published online in The Lancet, is big news in the field of FES (functional electrical stimulation), says SFU biomedical physiologist Andy Hoffer, whose own research in the field spans over 30 years. “This clearly shows the benefits of electrical stimulation, to support and reinforce reflex circuitry remaining in the distal spinal cord after an injury, and voluntarily initiate walking,” Hoffer says.
Hoffer created the Neurostep fully implanted assistive device, which uses nerve cuffs to sense and stimulate nerve activity in the paralyzed leg and enable movement in those suffering from neurological disabilities such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy. Hoffer is familiar with the work of the research's senior scientist Reggie Edgerton and can comment on the achievement and his own related research.
Andy Hoffer, (best reached via email) ahoffer@sfu.ca
For the first time, a man paralyzed from the waist down has made an 'unprecedented' recovery, taking steps on a treadmill and regaining other key functions. The treatment could potentially allow 10 per cent to 15 per cent of people with spinal cord injuries to regain some use of their legs. The research, published online in The Lancet, is big news in the field of FES (functional electrical stimulation), says SFU biomedical physiologist Andy Hoffer, whose own research in the field spans over 30 years. “This clearly shows the benefits of electrical stimulation, to support and reinforce reflex circuitry remaining in the distal spinal cord after an injury, and voluntarily initiate walking,” Hoffer says.
Hoffer created the Neurostep fully implanted assistive device, which uses nerve cuffs to sense and stimulate nerve activity in the paralyzed leg and enable movement in those suffering from neurological disabilities such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy. Hoffer is familiar with the work of the research's senior scientist Reggie Edgerton and can comment on the achievement and his own related research.
Andy Hoffer, (best reached via email) ahoffer@sfu.ca