New technique helps paralysed patient walk again using brain power

A preliminary proof-of-concept study from the US has offered evidence that it is possible to use direct brain control to restore the ability to walk to a paralysed person.

Conducted at the University of California, Irvine, the study saw a participant who had been paralysed for five years walk along a 3.66 m long course using an electroencephalogram (EEG) system.

The individual in question wore an EEG cap to read his brainwaves, which then travelled down to electrodes placed around his knees to create movement. This involved an initial phase of virtual reality training to reactivate the brain's ability to send the right impulses.

After also undergoing physical training to recondition and strengthen his leg muscles, the patient practiced walking while suspended five cm above ground, before eventually learning to walk on the ground with a body-weight support system for aid and to prevent falls.

Further studies will now be conducted to establish whether these results can be applied to a larger population of individuals with paraplegia.

Dr Zoran Nenadic, senior lead researcher of the study from the University of California, said: "Once we've confirmed the usability of this noninvasive system, we can look into invasive means, such as brain implants."