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Non-invasive zaps to the spinal cord can treat paralysis—but no one knows why


The benefits may seem small, but they can make a world of difference, patients say.

The relatively simple stimulation method—which requires no surgery—offers an accessible, more affordable, non-invasive means for those living with paralysis to regain some meaningful function, the researchers behind the trial say. "The most exciting thing for us is that we're seeing effects that improve quality of life," Chet Moritz, a co-author of the study and co-director for the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington, said in a press briefing. The differences were "very dramatic for many of the measures," Edelle Field-Fote, a co-author and Director of Spinal Cord Injury Research at Shepherd Center in Georgia, said in the briefing.

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