Electrical stimulation can restore hand function to some with SCI

In a trial of 60 people with tetraplegia, in which spinal cord injury impairs upper extremity function, 43 people regained at least some arm and hand strength and function after using a novel device that delivers stimulation to the spinal cord via electrodes on the skin. During stimulation with the device, study participants engaged in various exercises, working on their hand strength and dexterity. Approximately 72% of participants benefited from the therapy, while 28% saw no improvement, possibly due to injury severity.

In addition to improved hand function, study participants also saw improvements in sensation, spasticity and sleep.

The UW Medicine Newsroom spoke to Jon Schlueter, one of the study participants. After treatment, he is now able to play his guitar, 15 years after an injury that left him with limited hand function.

Professor Chet Moritz, PhD, is the lead author on the study, which was published May 20 in Nature Medicine. Dr. Fatma Inanici, Research Assistant Professor, also contributed to this and prior work. Read more about Dr. Inanici’s work here. 

This story was also reported on by USA Today, Fox News, KUOW, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review and IEEE Spectrum.

This item includes material written by Chris Talbott of the UW Medicine Newsroom.