Electrical experiment helps paralyzed man stand, walk

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May 21 2011

An electrode experiment has helped a paralyzed man stand and walk for short periods, which has some calling it a major breakthrough in treating paralysis. In other news, Ford is developing health-monitoring technology for cars.

The New York Times: Electrode Experiment Shows Promise As A Paralyzed Man Stands
A young man paralyzed by an injury to his spinal cord has regained the ability to stand for short periods, take steps with help and move his legs and feet at will, with the help of an electrical stimulator implanted in his lower back. The device is experimental and not available to other patients, and because it has been studied in only one person it is not known whether it would work as well in other people with different types of spinal injury (Grady, 5/19).

The Washington Post: Electrical Stimulation Helps Paralyzed Man
Researchers previously have been able to use electrical stimulation of muscles to produce some movement in patients with spinal cord injuries. But (Rob) Summers marks the first time any paralyzed patient has regained the ability to consciously move parts of his or her body by direct stimulation of the spinal cord, which apparently reactivates the nerve circuits that remain intact (Stein, 5/20).

USA Today: Study Reports Breakthrough In Treating Paralysis
The procedure is not ready for the clinic, cautioned Susan Harkema, of the University of Louisville's Department of Neurosurgery and Frazier Rehab Institute, where Summers was treated. The scientists will test the treatment in a second patient this summer (Marcus and Szabo, 5/19).

Los Angeles Times: Ford Developing Health-Monitoring Technology For Cars
Ford is developing a way to display pollen counts and other allergen levels to drivers using its existing link to smart phone apps, the car company announced Wednesday. Ford has also made a prototype to synchronize glucose monitoring devices via Bluetooth. The car displays glucose levels and sounds an alert if they fall too low (Cevallos, 5/19).

This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.