Latest news with #Pathfinder2
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Paralysed man regains movement in breakthrough trial
A Kent man paralysed from the waist down has partially regained bowel and bladder control thanks to breakthrough UK research. Dan Woodall, from Rainham, was paralysed in 2016 after falling from a bypass after a night out. The 33-year-old was one of 10 people to take part in a recent Pathfinder2 trial, funded by charity Spinal Research, using electrical stimulation to "excite" the spinal cord and attempt to create movement. "[The trial] gave me back control over muscle groups I never thought I'd move again, including my right hamstrings and hip flexors," he said. "I've also regained some bowel and bladder control - something I was told in hospital after my accident might never happen. "Just knowing when you want to use the toilet is such a massive thing for your independence and mental health. "The fact that the gains have continued after the trial is really encouraging and I can't wait to see where this goes." The participants took part in 120 sessions using the technology - known as ARC-EX therapy. All saw significant improvements in upper body strength, torso control and balance, according to Spinal Research. Spinal Research chairwoman Tara Stewart said: "This therapy is not a silver bullet. "It works on spared spinal tissue so results will vary widely and it does need to be paired with proper active rehabilitation over a consistent period of time. "Even so, this is a game changing moment. It's now time to stop talking about spinal cord injury as being incurable and to stop telling people with this injury that nothing can be done." The peer-reviewed study has been published in Neuromodulation: Technology at Neural Interface. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Man accidentally sets marathon record on crutches 'Everybody cried when I was able to walk again' Rugby coach who broke neck to run half marathon Spinal Research
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Kent: Paralysed man regains movement in breakthrough trial
A Kent man paralysed from the waist down has partially regained bowel and bladder control thanks to breakthrough UK Woodall, from Rainham, was paralysed in 2016 after falling from a bypass after a night 33-year-old was one of 10 people to take part in a recent Pathfinder2 trial, funded by charity Spinal Research, using electrical stimulation to "excite" the spinal cord and attempt to create movement."[The trial] gave me back control over muscle groups I never thought I'd move again, including my right hamstrings and hip flexors," he said. "I've also regained some bowel and bladder control - something I was told in hospital after my accident might never happen."Just knowing when you want to use the toilet is such a massive thing for your independence and mental health."The fact that the gains have continued after the trial is really encouraging and I can't wait to see where this goes."The participants took part in 120 sessions using the technology - known as ARC-EX saw significant improvements in upper body strength, torso control and balance, according to Spinal Research chairwoman Tara Stewart said: "This therapy is not a silver bullet."It works on spared spinal tissue so results will vary widely and it does need to be paired with proper active rehabilitation over a consistent period of time."Even so, this is a game changing moment. It's now time to stop talking about spinal cord injury as being incurable and to stop telling people with this injury that nothing can be done."The peer-reviewed study has been published in Neuromodulation: Technology at Neural Interface.
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Medical trial helps paralysed Bedfordshire woman be a mum again
A woman paralysed seven years ago said a medical trial involving spinal stimulation had helped her regain the use of her Wilson, from Bedfordshire, said the Pathfinder2 study had increased her upper body strength, enabling her to read a book and play games with her children as well as comb her daughter's transmitting electrical pulses were stuck to the outside of her skin near her injured spinal cord while she completed gym NHS England said this type of technology was in its "early development", charity Spinal Research said it meant recovery from paralysis was "a step closer". Mrs Wilson broke her neck when she was thrown off a horse which was spooked by a pheasant, on her family farm in 39-year-old, from Houghton Conquest, near Bedford, severed her spinal cord in the small gap between her helmet and the top of her body protector, leaving her paralysed from the chest to reach her phone, she lay on the ground until a friend's three-year-old daughter found her."For me it was like instant paralysis," she said. "I just couldn't feel anything".She was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridgeshire and when she woke from a coma, the only part of her body she could move was her head. Mrs Wilson took part in the year-long-trial which involved stimulating her spinal cord with electrical pulses with a device called pulses excited neurons so that signals weakened or interrupted by injury, could drive movement. Following the trial, she could perform tasks on her farm as well as use a computer, which she said had made a huge difference to her independence and confidence."It was really life changing," she said. 'I just feel like mum now' Mrs Wilson described how she could now be an active parent again."Just to be able to use my arms so I can cook with them, we can bake together, I can pass them things in the bath. "It sounds trivial but those things really make a difference.""I obviously wanted to be the best mum I could be, but felt utterly useless at times, but I don't remember the last time I felt like that because I just feel like 'mum' now. It's really exciting for the future."The research, which involved 10 participants, has been published in the peer reviewed journal "Neuromodulation: Technology at Neural Interface". Other trial participants saw improvements in their balance and lower body study follows research focussed on upper body strength which was published in 2024 in the journal "Nature Medicine" which saw positive latest Pathfinder2 trial was funded by the Spinal Research charity and looked at different part of the Tara Stewart said: "This therapy is not a silver bullet. It works on spared spinal tissue so results will vary widely, and it does need to be paired with proper active rehabilitation."Even so, this is a game changing moment. It's now time to stop talking about spinal cord injury as being incurable and to stop telling people with this injury that nothing can be done." The study concluded that a larger scale trial would be beneficial. It also said the absence of a control made it difficult to establish how much progress was down to rehabilitation exercises and how much could be attributed to spinal Research is funding three other UK studies involving use of implantable and external spinal cord stimulation systems."With proper investment in the spinal research field we could see significant progress towards a cure for paralysis in the next five to seven years," said Ms Stewart. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Everybody cried after I was able to walk again'
A London woman who was paralysed as a result of an illness has said "everybody cried" when she was able to take her first steps following a pioneering Trivedi, 48, was paralysed from the waist down in 2017 when a group of abnormal blood vessels in her spinal cord recently received a type of spinal cord stimulation during a small clinical trial, which enabled her to take a few steps using a walker."I dreamed that one day I might take a few steps, and my dream came true," the mother of two said. The study, which involved 10 people between 21 and 68 with varying levels of spinal cord injury, aimed to assess new technology that works by stimulating the "dormant" spine below the patient's injury with electrical was then combined with intensive tailored physical taking part in the trial Ms Trivedi said she saw some functions return that were thought to be lost after her injury."I was told my injury was complete, and I just had to get used to my situation, but I refused to give up," she said."About 10 weeks before I finished the trial, I took my first steps just using a walking frame, without any leg supports. Everyone cried." "I was putting my all into the trial and was being rewarded," Ms Trivedi added. "Even though it was really slow, I could see improvements. My legs were getting stronger, and I had hope."Although all the gains haven't continued, I definitely think the stimulation had a massive impact on my rehab."All the participants in the Pathfinder 2 trial, which was funded by the charity Spinal Research, took part for more than a year at Neurokinex rehabilitation facilities in the UK and had 120 made improvements in their upper body strength, trunk control and balance - and some also saw improvement in hand grip, dexterity and lower body said the improvements did not plateau, which suggested further benefits may be achieved with extended treatment. Therapy 'not a silver bullet' Jane Symonds, co-investigator of the study, said: "It's hoped that if somebody, for example, is trying to get some muscle activity in their legs to be able to stand or walk, that when the stimulation is in place... those nerve impulses are more likely to reach their target destination and hopefully enable people to use those muscles."It has the potential to be a game-changer, and we're hoping that it's a real breakthrough for people with spinal cord injury."Spinal Research chair Tara Stewart said: "This therapy is not a silver bullet - it works on spared spinal tissue, so results will vary widely, and it does need to be paired with proper active rehabilitation over a consistent period of time."Study co-investigator Jenny Suggitt added: "Participants who have completed the study at this point are seeing changes in their motor function - so their standing ability, walking, core control and sensation changes, as well as changes to their autonomic function - so bladder, bowel and sexual function."The results of the study were published in the journal Neuromodulation: Technology At Neural Interface.
The Independent
24-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Everyone cried': Paralysed woman describes walking after pioneering treatment
A woman who was paralysed as a result of an illness has described how 'everybody cried' when she was able to take her first steps following a pioneering treatment. Claire Trivedi received a type of spinal cord stimulation during a small clinical trial which enabled her to take a few steps using a walker. The 48-year-old from London was paralysed from the waist down in 2017 when a group of abnormal blood vessels in her spinal cord burst. The mother of two is one of 10 spinal cord injury patients who took part in a study assessing new stimulation technology. While taking part in the trial, she was able to restore some functions which were initially thought to be lost after her injury. The technology has been described as a 'hearing aid for the nervous system' and works by stimulating the 'dormant' spine below the patient's injury, combined with 'activity-based therapy'. Experts said the results of the small pilot study were 'game changing'. And Spinal Research chairwoman Tara Stewart said the study suggests 'it's now time to stop talking about spinal cord injury as being incurable'. Ten people aged between 21 and 68 with different levels of spinal cord injuries took part in the study, which has been published in the journal Neuromodulation: Technology At Neural Interface. All participants in the Pathfinder 2 trial, funded by Spinal Research, made significant improvements in their upper body strength, trunk control and balance. And some saw major gains in hand grip and dexterity and lower body functions after using Onward Medical's ARC-EX Therapy combined with rehabilitation. Patients took part in the study for more than a year at Neurokinex rehabilitation facilities in the UK and each had 120 sessions where they were given transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. The technology delivers electrical pulses through the skin to stimulate the spinal cord which means that signals weakened or interrupted by a spinal cord injury can drive movement. It is coupled with intensive physical therapy, tailored to each patient. Some of those who took part in the trial saw bodily function return a decade after injury or illness. Researchers said that the improvements did not plateau, which suggests further benefits may be achieved with extended treatment. Ms Trivedi said: 'I was told my injury was complete and I just had to get used to my situation, but I refused to give up. 'I dreamed that one day I might take a few steps and my dream came true. 'About 10 weeks before I finished the trial, I took my first steps just using a walking frame, without any leg supports. Everyone cried. 'I was putting my all into the trial and was being rewarded. Even though it was really slow I could see improvements. My legs were getting stronger and I had hope. 'And although all the gains haven't continued, I definitely think the stimulation had a massive impact on my rehab and I can't wait for it to be licensed in the UK.' Ms Stewart added: 'This therapy is not a silver bullet – it works on spared spinal tissue so results will vary widely, and it does need to be paired with proper active rehabilitation over a consistent period of time. 'Even so, this is a game changing moment. It's now time to stop talking about spinal cord injury as being incurable and to stop telling people with this injury that nothing can be done.' Jenny Suggitt, co-investigator of the study, said: 'Participants who have completed the study at this point are seeing changes in their motor function – so their standing ability, walking, core control and sensation changes, as well as changes to their autonomic function – so bladder, bowel and sexual function. 'We are seeing recovery in participants who are over 10 years post injury, and they're regaining function that they never thought possible.' Co-investigator Jane Symonds said: 'Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation has been described a little bit like a hearing aid for the nervous system, so it's enhancing the signals that the nervous system is receiving. 'And so it's hoped that if somebody, for example, is trying to get some muscle activity in their legs to be able to stand or walk, that when the stimulation is in place, there is a greater level of excitability in the spinal cord, and therefore those nerve impulses are more likely to reach their target destination, and hopefully enable people to use those muscles. 'It has the potential to be a game changer and we're hoping that it's a real breakthrough for people with spinal cord injury.' Dave Marver, chief executive of Onward Medical, said the study 'provides critical insights to the spinal cord injury community, demonstrating that improvements resulting from ARC-EX Therapy extend for at least one year, with no observed plateau'. Harvey Sihota, founder and chief executive of Neurokinex, said: 'There is no doubt that spinal stimulation technology will take spinal cord injury rehab to the next level, bringing even more meaningful functional improvements that offer people greater independence.' Spinal Research is also funding three other UK studies involving use of implantable and external spinal cord stimulation systems. Ms Stewart said: 'With proper investment in the spinal research field we could see significant progress towards a cure for paralysis in the next five to seven years.'
