A ‘huge step forward’
Peter J. Grahn, PhD, assistant professor, department of physical medicine and rehabilitation and department of neurologic surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., an author of one of the 2018 studies, said this technology “is a huge step forward” and “really pushes the field.”
Compared with the device used in his study that’s designed to treat neuropathic pain, this new system “is much more capable of dynamic stimulation,” said Dr. Grahn. “You can tailor the stimulation based on which area of the spinal cord you want to target during a specific function.”
There has been “a lot of hope and hype” recently around stem cells and biological molecules that were supposed to be “magic pills” to cure spinal cord dysfunction, said Dr. Grahn. “I don’t think this is one of those.”
However, he questioned the researchers’ use of the word “walking.”
“They say independent stepping or walking is restored on day 1, but the graphs show day 1 function is having over 60% of their body weight supported when they’re taking these steps,” he said.
In addition, the “big question” is how this technology can “be distilled down” into an approach “applicable across rehabilitation centers,” said Dr. Grahn.
The study was supported by numerous organizations, including ONWARD Medical. Dr. Courtine and Dr. Bloch hold various patents in relation with the present work. Dr. Courtine is a consultant with ONWARD Medical, and he and Dr. Bloch are shareholders of ONWARD Medical, a company with direct relationships with the presented work. Dr. Grahn reported no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.