Implant allows paraplegic patients to stand and walk again

In a world first, Swiss researchers have enabled three paraplegic patients to stand and walk again, using a nerve-stimulating device that’s controlled by touchscreen tablet.

The device, revealed this week, uses electronic implants and artificial intelligence software to help paraplegic patients gain back their autonomy — and researchers have found it works well on those with even complete paralysis.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, found that this particular electrode system works faster than other previous attempts at electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. Improvement was seen within just one day of treatment and continued in the days and months to follow.