Robotic Rehab and Synced Zaps Restore Movement After Spinal Injuries

A recent study has tested a groundbreaking proof-of-concept technology that combines electrical stimulation with rehabilitation robotics, allowing individuals paralyzed by spinal injuries to regain more natural movement. This innovation aims to enhance recovery outcomes.

In 2022, New Atlas covered how a spinal cord stimulator enabled nine paralyzed patients to walk. Developed by Swiss neurotech company .NeuroRestore, the device was supported by a “molecular map” identifying neurons responsive to stimulation.

.Neu roRestore recently introduced a new system that synchronizes spinal cord stimulation with “rehabilitation robotics” to restore coordinated, natural movement in individuals with spinal cord injuries. This announcement coincided with the release of a proof-of-concept study demonstrating the system’s effectiveness.

Integrating Spinal Stimulation and Robotics to Advance Spinal Cord Injury Therapy

“The seamless integration of spinal cord stimulation with rehabilitation or recreational robotics will accelerate the adoption of this therapy into standard care and the spinal cord injury community,” said Grégoire Courtine, neuroscientist and professor at EPFL, and one of the study’s corresponding authors. Courtine and Adjunct Professor Jocelyne Bloch, also a corresponding author, spearheaded the system’s development.

Rehabilitation robotics bridges science fiction and reality—an increasingly familiar concept given today’s rapid technological advancements. This field focuses on designing robotic devices to assist individuals with movement impairments, particularly in therapy, by guiding and enhancing motion during rehabilitation.

Like .NeuroRestore’s previous device, the new system uses a surgically implanted stimulator to send targeted electrical pulses to the spinal cord, activating muscles. However, what sets this technology apart is its synchronization with robotic devices, allowing for more natural and coordinated muscle movement during rehabilitation exercises, such as cycling or walking on a treadmill.

Spinal Stimulation and Robotics Restore Muscle Control in Paralysis Patients

In their proof-of-concept study, researchers tested the system on five individuals with paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. The participants not only regained the ability to activate muscles during robotic-assisted therapy, but some also showed improved voluntary movement even after the stimulation was turned off.

A key advantage of this technology is its ‘agnostic’ design, meaning it can integrate with various robotic systems. It’s also user-friendly, making it accessible to both experts and non-experts alike.

“We visited several rehabilitation centers to test our stimulation technology with the robotic systems they commonly use, and it was incredibly rewarding to see their enthusiasm,” said study co-lead authors Nicolas Hankov of.NeuroRestore and Miroslav Caban from EPFL’s Biorobotics (BioRob) Laboratory. “Observing how seamlessly our approach integrates with existing rehabilitation protocols reinforces its potential to revolutionize spinal cord injury care by providing a user-friendly, adaptable framework for widespread adoption.”

Beyond clinical settings, the technology also enabled participants to walk and cycle outdoors, demonstrating its real-world impact. However, researchers hope this innovation will offer new hope to individuals with spinal cord injuries and enhance recovery through more effective rehabilitation. Further studies and clinical trials will determine its long-term benefits.

The video below illustrates how spinal stimulation, combined with rehabilitative robotics, helps restore movement.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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