Restoring function to patients after trauma is the main goal of occupational therapy. New breakthroughs in technology may make this rehab process easier. Dr. Todd Kuiken of Shirley Ryan Abilitylab in Chicago, Illinois is working on a special type of prosthesis for amputees. It takes the nerve endings of the missing limb, usually an arm, and it connects them to an intact muscle that can then drive motor control of the prosthesis. The procedure is called Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and is being researched heavily by specialists within Dr. Kuiken’s group.
Some trauma may be done to the body without loss of the limb, but may reduce or diminish function instead. Stroke patients need assistance re-opening neural pathways that were cut off after their trauma. Regaining motor control is one of the most important parts of this therapy. A technique that artificially opens and closes the hand of a healthy participant while thinking about doing it yourself has boosted the neural signaling in the motor cortex. This type of therapy may assist patients gain control of their limbs after some damage.
This is very interesting work because it suggests that even if the limb is not there anymore, or if it is non-functional, there is still hope for gaining mobility and independence. There will be many more studies done regarding both treatments, and many more issues to overcome.
Resources: https://www.sfn.org/Press-Room/News-Release-Archives/2018/Potential-Brain-Machine-Interface-for-Hand-Paralysis
Some trauma may be done to the body without loss of the limb, but may reduce or diminish function instead. Stroke patients need assistance re-opening neural pathways that were cut off after their trauma. Regaining motor control is one of the most important parts of this therapy. A technique that artificially opens and closes the hand of a healthy participant while thinking about doing it yourself has boosted the neural signaling in the motor cortex. This type of therapy may assist patients gain control of their limbs after some damage.
This is very interesting work because it suggests that even if the limb is not there anymore, or if it is non-functional, there is still hope for gaining mobility and independence. There will be many more studies done regarding both treatments, and many more issues to overcome.
Resources: https://www.sfn.org/Press-Room/News-Release-Archives/2018/Potential-Brain-Machine-Interface-for-Hand-Paralysis
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