A woman from London, who became paralyzed due to an illness, recounted the emotional moment when she took her first steps following an innovative treatment, stating that “everyone was in tears.”
Claire Trivedi, 48, lost the ability to move her legs in 2017, after a cluster of abnormal blood vessels burst in her spinal cord.
In a recent small-scale clinical trial, she underwent a specific form of spinal cord stimulation that allowed her to take her initial steps using a walker.
“I had always envisioned the day I could walk a few steps, and that dream has finally materialized,” shared the mother of two.
The research, which included 10 participants aged 21 to 68 with different degrees of spinal cord injuries, was designed to evaluate a new technology that stimulates the “inactive” part of the spine beneath the injury using electrical signals.
This treatment was complemented by customized, intensive physical therapy.
During her involvement in the trial, Ms. Trivedi noticed some functions returning that she believed had been irretrievably lost after her injury.
“I was told that my condition was irreversible, and that I should accept my new reality, but I was determined not to give up,” she explained.
“Approximately 10 weeks before completing the trial, I managed to take my first steps using only a walker, without any leg supports. It brought everyone to tears.”
“I dedicated myself fully to the trial, and was seeing the results of my efforts,” Ms. Trivedi continued.
“Even though the progress was gradual, I could observe improvements. My legs were gaining strength, and I felt hope.
“While not all advancements have persisted, I truly believe the stimulation played a pivotal role in my rehabilitation.”
All participants in the Pathfinder 2 trial, funded by the charity Spinal Research, completed over a year of sessions at Neurokinex rehabilitation centers in the UK, totaling 120 sessions.
They experienced enhancements in upper body strength, core stability, and balance. Some even noticed upgrades in hand grip, dexterity, and lower body functionality.
Researchers indicated that the improvements did not appear to reach a limit, suggesting that further benefits might be realized with prolonged treatment.
Jane Symonds, a co-investigator of the study, remarked: “The hope is that when someone is trying to activate their leg muscles for standing or walking, the stimulation increases the likelihood of those nerve impulses successfully reaching their intended destination, thereby enabling the use of those muscles.
“It has the potential to be transformative, and we are optimistic that it could represent a significant advancement for individuals with spinal cord injuries.”
Tara Stewart, chair of Spinal Research, noted: “This therapy isn’t a miraculous fix – it targets spared spinal tissue, so results may vary significantly, and it must be combined with effective active rehabilitation over time.”
Co-investigator Jenny Suggitt added: “Participants who have wrapped up the study are experiencing noticeable changes in their motor functions, such as standing, walking, core control, and sensory responses, in addition to improvements in autonomic functions like bladder, bowel, and sexual health.”
The findings of the study were published in the journal *Neuromodulation: Technology At Neural Interface.*
The post Headline: From Paralysis to Progress: London Womans Emotional Journey to Walking Again Sparks Hope for Spinal Injury Treatments first appeared on London.
Author : London News
Publish date : 2025-02-24 09:43:40
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.