Following a groundbreaking medical trial involving spinal stimulation, a woman who was paralyzed seven years ago has regained the use of her hands. Sarra Wilson, from Bedfordshire, participated in the Pathfinder2 study, which significantly increased her upper body strength. This improvement has allowed her to engage in activities such as reading, playing with her children, and even combing her daughter’s hair. The trial involved the application of pads emitting electrical pulses near her injured spinal cord while she performed gym exercises. While NHS England recognizes that this technology is still in its early stages, the charity Spinal Research views it as a significant step towards recovery from paralysis.
Mrs. Wilson suffered a neck injury in 2018 when she was thrown off a horse on her family farm after it was startled by a pheasant. The accident left her paralyzed from the chest down, with limited mobility. She underwent a year-long trial that involved stimulating her spinal cord with electrical pulses using a device called ARC-EX, developed by Onward Medical. The pulses helped excite neurons, enabling weakened or interrupted signals to drive movement.
Post-trial, Mrs. Wilson experienced substantial improvements in her daily life. She regained the ability to perform tasks on her farm, use a computer, and engage in activities that increased her independence and confidence. Describing the impact of the treatment, she expressed gratitude for being able to actively parent her children once more. The research, involving ten participants, has been published in the peer-reviewed journal “Neuromodulation: Technology at Neural Interface.”
The study’s success has led to renewed hope for individuals living with spinal cord injuries. Tara Stewart, the chair of Spinal Research, emphasized the importance of combining this therapy with active rehabilitation for optimal results. The study concluded that a larger-scale trial would be beneficial, although the absence of a control group made it challenging to determine the exact impact of rehabilitation exercises versus spinal stimulation.
Spinal Research is currently funding three additional UK studies that focus on the use of implantable and external spinal cord stimulation systems, further advancing the possibilities for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
“Ms. Stewart predicts groundbreaking advancements in paralysis cure within next 5-7 years with increased spinal research funding,” reports the latest update from Beds, Herts, and Bucks. Stay updated with BBC Sounds, Facebook, and Instagram for more news.
