Max
02-13-2006, 03:03 PM
Small studies show $15,000 bicycle, electrical stimulation hold hope
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
Associated Press
Vibrating tingles of electricity worm into the thin legs of paralyzed children, pulling at their muscles to pump up and down on a special bicycle.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/art/spec.gifParalysis Victimshttp://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.one0213_125.jpg (http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/graphic.asp?graphic=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.one0213_big.jpg)
Photo/AP
Loretta McRae, 15, who was paralyzed from the shoulders down, takes steps with the help of physical therapist Echo Ingham. Therapy sessions using an electrical stimulation bike have helped her walk a little, go to the bathroom on her own and move her hands.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.two0213_125.jpg (http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/graphic.asp?graphic=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.two0213_big.jpg)
Photo/AP
McRae rides an electrical stimulation bike under the watch of Ingham and John McDonald (right), who developed the therapy and used it with Christopher Reeve.
It's called electrical stimulation exercise therapy, and small but tantalizing studies suggest that this intense rehab just might help restore some function to people with spinal cord injuries, even if they were paralyzed long ago.
Desperate patients have sought this therapy since it was credited with helping the late Christopher Reeve regain the ability to feel human touch and move just a little, more than five years after a riding accident completely paralyzed the "Superman" star.
Now scientists are putting the approach to a rigorous test - in a study with children that may begin to answer whether this sweat equity truly fuels recovery.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=400609
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
Associated Press
Vibrating tingles of electricity worm into the thin legs of paralyzed children, pulling at their muscles to pump up and down on a special bicycle.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/art/spec.gifParalysis Victimshttp://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.one0213_125.jpg (http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/graphic.asp?graphic=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.one0213_big.jpg)
Photo/AP
Loretta McRae, 15, who was paralyzed from the shoulders down, takes steps with the help of physical therapist Echo Ingham. Therapy sessions using an electrical stimulation bike have helped her walk a little, go to the bathroom on her own and move her hands.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.two0213_125.jpg (http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/graphic.asp?graphic=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/alive/img/feb06/para.two0213_big.jpg)
Photo/AP
McRae rides an electrical stimulation bike under the watch of Ingham and John McDonald (right), who developed the therapy and used it with Christopher Reeve.
It's called electrical stimulation exercise therapy, and small but tantalizing studies suggest that this intense rehab just might help restore some function to people with spinal cord injuries, even if they were paralyzed long ago.
Desperate patients have sought this therapy since it was credited with helping the late Christopher Reeve regain the ability to feel human touch and move just a little, more than five years after a riding accident completely paralyzed the "Superman" star.
Now scientists are putting the approach to a rigorous test - in a study with children that may begin to answer whether this sweat equity truly fuels recovery.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=400609