Rehabilitation Combining Spatiotemporal Spinal Cord Stimulation and Real-time Triggering Exoskeleton After Spinal Cord Injury

In the researchers' words

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can be caused by trauma, inflammation, tumors, and other factors, often leading to issues such as impaired leg movement, abnormal sensation, and difficulties with bladder and bowel control. These challenges significantly affect the patient's quality of life. While there is currently no cure for spinal cord injury, the latest guidelines recommend spinal cord stimulation and robotic exoskeletons as effective rehabilitation methods. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves implanting a device that delivers electrical stimulations to aid in motor function recovery. Its safety and effectiveness have been proven in multiple clinical studies. For example, in 2022, a Swiss research team successfully helped three patients with severe spinal cord injuries regain the ability to stand, walk, and perform other movements, offering new hope for recovery. A robotic exoskeleton is a wearable device that assists patients in movements like walking while promoting nerve and muscle recovery. This technology has become an increasingly important tool in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Recent studies have shown that combining spinal cord stimulation and robotic exoskeletons yields better outcomes. For instance, in 2023, an American research team demonstrated that after 24 weeks of combined therapy, patients could achieve independent walking or walk with the aid of…