Jeremy
01-16-2003, 08:03 AM
Thursday, 16 January, 2003, 12:45 GMT
Paralysed helped to stand
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2664521.stm
The technique uses electrical pulses
Engineers have enabled paralysed people to stand up and balance for significant periods without holding an external support.
The technique, pioneered by experts in mechanical engineering at the University of Glasgow, uses low levels of pulsed electrical current to stimulate the nerves that control muscle movement.
The current replaces signals from the brain, which do not reach the nerves when the spinal cord is injured.
This electrical stimulation makes the paralysed muscle contract and partially restores lost body functions.
The researchers used the technology to stimulate the muscles controlling the ankke by an amount directly related to the person's standing posture.
This has never been achieved before in experiments with human subject
Professor Ken Hunt
For example, if the person leans further forward, the stimulation is automaticaly increased to push them back to a more upright position. This approach is known as feedback control.
As a result, paralysed patients have been able to stand for as long as seven minutes without having to hold on to a frame or walker.
Lead researcher Professor Ken Hunt said: "Enabling spinally-injured people to stand again and remain balanced for this amount of time represents major progress.
"This has never been achieved before in experiments with human subjects."
Rehabilitation
Professor Hunt told BBC News Online the technique would potentially aid the rehabilitation of spinal injuries patients as they are encouraged to stand on a regular basis to accustom their legs to bearing the weight of their body.
"There are also practical reasons why somebody should want to stand unaided so they have both hands free for other tasks," he said.
However, Professor Hunt said the technology would not help people to walk again.
His team is now working on a smaller version of the equipment which could be warn on the body.
The work was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
"I'm just a dreamer who dreams of better days"
Paralysed helped to stand
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2664521.stm
The technique uses electrical pulses
Engineers have enabled paralysed people to stand up and balance for significant periods without holding an external support.
The technique, pioneered by experts in mechanical engineering at the University of Glasgow, uses low levels of pulsed electrical current to stimulate the nerves that control muscle movement.
The current replaces signals from the brain, which do not reach the nerves when the spinal cord is injured.
This electrical stimulation makes the paralysed muscle contract and partially restores lost body functions.
The researchers used the technology to stimulate the muscles controlling the ankke by an amount directly related to the person's standing posture.
This has never been achieved before in experiments with human subject
Professor Ken Hunt
For example, if the person leans further forward, the stimulation is automaticaly increased to push them back to a more upright position. This approach is known as feedback control.
As a result, paralysed patients have been able to stand for as long as seven minutes without having to hold on to a frame or walker.
Lead researcher Professor Ken Hunt said: "Enabling spinally-injured people to stand again and remain balanced for this amount of time represents major progress.
"This has never been achieved before in experiments with human subjects."
Rehabilitation
Professor Hunt told BBC News Online the technique would potentially aid the rehabilitation of spinal injuries patients as they are encouraged to stand on a regular basis to accustom their legs to bearing the weight of their body.
"There are also practical reasons why somebody should want to stand unaided so they have both hands free for other tasks," he said.
However, Professor Hunt said the technology would not help people to walk again.
His team is now working on a smaller version of the equipment which could be warn on the body.
The work was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
"I'm just a dreamer who dreams of better days"