More and more the #technology helps those with temporary or permanent disabilities.
The latest news is from a few days ago: people with complete paralysis were able to partially recover some functions (sense of touch, sensation of pain, bladder control and some movement) thanks to just one year of #rehabilitation 'hi-tech' with human-machine interfaces, virtual reality and avatars.
The research, the results of which were published in the journal Scientific Reports, was conducted on eight patients with severe paralysis: the few nerves remained intact after the accident were able to awaken thanks to the technology, allowing the partial restoration of motor functions and tactites.
"Until now, no one had ever witnessed the recovery of these functions in patients for many years in conditions of complete paralysis", said Miguel Nicolelis of the Duke University of Durham. The researchers asked the patients to imagine moving their legs and collected their neural signals. Thus avatars were animated that virtually enacted the imagined movements.
Gradually, thanks to sensors worn by patients, the partial recovery of tactile sensations took place. For example, patients could experience the sensation of walking on sand or asphalt. A big step forward for science and especially for the people involved in the study.
