Credit: PA
Patients left paralysed by severe spinal cord injuries have recovered the ability to move their legs thanks to an incredible medical breakthrough.
Eight people were able to walk after training with an exoskeleton which was linked to their brain and controlled by their thoughts. One of these people, patient seven, was then able to walk with the use of two crutches, according to the Independent.
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The Walk Again Project was developed by scientists in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Researches originally thought they could help paraplegics to move about using the equipment. However, half way through the training, clinical results showed that they were all able to regain some feeling in their legs.
Credit: PA
Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, they said: "While patient one was initially not even able to stand using braces when placed in an orthostatic posture, after 10 months of training the same patient became capable of walking using a walker, braces and the assistance of one therapist.
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"At this stage, this patient became capable of producing voluntary leg movements mimicking walking, while suspended overground.
"In another example, patient seven was capable of walking with two crutches and lower limb orthoses ... while requiring no assistance by a therapist."
How fucking incredible is that?
Words by Sian Broderick
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