Electrical Stimulation Helps to Restore Hand and Arm Function After Spinal Injury

Outcome/Accomplishment

Combining innovative electrical stimulation with intensive training has improved the lives of six people with spinal injuries in research at the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) at the University of Washington.

Impact/Benefits

The research suggests that noninvasive stimulation of spinal cord networks can help the human nervous system to reorganize nerve connections. When paired with intensive training, the electrical stimulation results in measurably improved limb function for all six of the research subjects with spinal injuries.

Explanation/Background

Growing evidence indicates that electrical spinal cord stimulation improves motor functions immediately by modulating the excitability of spinal circuitry in patients with spinal cord injury. A novel, non-invasive, well-tolerated and painless electrical stimulation applied through the skin was demonstrated to be effective for improving motor function in healthy individuals and in patients with spinal cord injury.

In the six individuals in this project, improved hand function persisted for at least three to six months without further treatment. Some participants regained hand function more than a decade after their injury and were able to return to their hobbies such as oil painting and playing musical instruments.

CNT research study participant Jon Schlueter (right) performs a grip-strength test while electrical stimulation is applied to his spine. CNT Co-Director Chet Moritz (left) and researcher Fatma Inanici

Location

Seattle, Washington

e-mail

website

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Biotechnology and Healthcare

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Biotechnology and Health Care Icon

Biotechnology and Healthcare

Lead Institution

University of Washington

Core Partners

MIT, San Diego University

Fact Sheet

CNT_Factsheet_2018 Final.pdf
CNT research study participant Jon Schlueter (right) performs a grip-strength test while electrical stimulation is applied to his spine. CNT Co-Director Chet Moritz (left) and researcher Fatma Inanici

Outcome/Accomplishment

Combining innovative electrical stimulation with intensive training has improved the lives of six people with spinal injuries in research at the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) at the University of Washington.

Location

Seattle, Washington

e-mail

website

Visit Website

Start Year

Biotechnology and Healthcare

Biotechnology and Health Care Icon
Biotechnology and Health Care Icon

Biotechnology and Healthcare

Lead Institution

University of Washington

Core Partners

MIT, San Diego University

Fact Sheet

CNT_Factsheet_2018 Final.pdf

Impact/benefits

The research suggests that noninvasive stimulation of spinal cord networks can help the human nervous system to reorganize nerve connections. When paired with intensive training, the electrical stimulation results in measurably improved limb function for all six of the research subjects with spinal injuries.

Explanation/Background

Growing evidence indicates that electrical spinal cord stimulation improves motor functions immediately by modulating the excitability of spinal circuitry in patients with spinal cord injury. A novel, non-invasive, well-tolerated and painless electrical stimulation applied through the skin was demonstrated to be effective for improving motor function in healthy individuals and in patients with spinal cord injury.

In the six individuals in this project, improved hand function persisted for at least three to six months without further treatment. Some participants regained hand function more than a decade after their injury and were able to return to their hobbies such as oil painting and playing musical instruments.