Walking by electric shocks

2002/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Medikuntza

A partially paralyzed man has managed to walk again thanks to electrodes that have placed him in the spine. The man had a paralyzed body room and is now able to walk a kilometer. Researchers at the University of the State of Arizona applied electrodes to the spinal cord that cause small discharges during displacement.

Without electrical stimulation the patient performed 50 meters in three minutes and thanks to the stimulation performs the same route in 60 seconds. After several months of training, you can travel a kilometer without getting tired. It seems that the stimulation excites the circuit of the nerves of the spinal cord, as happens practically in the normal march. In addition, it reduces energy expenditure and fatigue, as it causes fat burning in the muscles.

It seems that the new therapy is very useful for those who have partial paralysis, but researchers have stressed that those who have total paralysis will not be able to take advantage of it, since being able to stand up is a fundamental condition.

More information on the website of the journal Nature