Selective neural electrical stimulation restores hand and forearm movements in individuals with complete tetraplegia

This study explores using electrical stimulation of nerves to restore hand movement in people with complete tetraplegia. The researchers hypothesized that stimulating the radial and median nerves could activate functional hand movements. Unlike previous methods that targeted up to 12 muscles, this approach aims to minimize implanted electrodes while providing necessary hand movements. The goal is to provide a minimally invasive solution for grasping and releasing objects, using only two cuff electrodes above the elbow.

• 1
  Selective stimulation using multicontact cuff electrodes can provide isolated, compound, functional, and strong movements in individuals with tetraplegia.
• 2
  Upper limb nerves have muscle-specific fascicles, enabling the activation of isolated movements through selective stimulation.
• 3
  Researchers demonstrated isolated fingers or thumb flexion, Key Grip, and Power and Hook Grips in different patients through selective nerve stimulation.