Reports from two new clinical trials have been released. They support previous research results that indicate that epidural spinal stimulation can help patients with lower limb paralysis regain some voluntary movement. Currently, researchers are using an off-the-shelf stimulation device that was developed for use with patients who suffer from chronic pain. The University of Louisville team found that all four patients tested were able to regain some voluntary movement, and two were able to achieve over-the-ground walking (not just on a treadmill.) The Mayo Clinic team tested only one patient but was able to replicate the results found at the University of Louisville: he was able to achieve over-the-ground walking with a front-wheeled walker after 43 weeks (9.8 months) of rehabilitation and training.
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