Is the path to walking again just a spark away?
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Enter Simone Romeni and team at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. They’re paving the way for spinal cord injury recovery.
They use a groundbreaking treatment called high-frequency epidural electrical stimulation. Electrodes are placed near the spine to deliver gentle electrical pulses. But it doesn’t stop there! Participants also perform tailored rehab exercises designed to complement the stimulation.
Two participants with spinal cord injuries saw remarkable progress. Muscle spasms? Reduced! Leg strength? Maintained and supported! And walking? Participants reported feeling more stable and confident!
Here’s the kicker: the treatment doesn’t just ease discomfort, it helps regain voluntary movement!
Talk about a SHOCKING breakthrough!
Reference: Simone Romeni et al. ,High-frequency epidural electrical stimulation reduces spasticity and facilitates walking recovery in patients with spinal cord injury.Sci. Transl. Med.17,eadp9607(2025).DOI:10.1126/scitranslmed.adp9607