New treatment offers hope for children with Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Worldwide Heart for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) have made a outstanding development in treating youngsters with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a uncommon however extreme neurological situation that causes sudden paralysis.

A brand new examine, revealed within the journal Youngsters, demonstrates {that a} mixture of Transcutaneous Spinal Twine Stimulation (TSS) and motion coaching may also help youngsters with AFM enhance their potential to stroll. TSS is a non-invasive remedy the place electrical present is utilized by pads positioned on the pores and skin to the spine. It amplifies the amount on alerts touring from the mind by the spinal cord, facilitating muscle activation and restoring motor operate.

The examine concerned 4 youngsters with spinal cord accidents attributable to AFM. Over a sequence of twenty-two remedy periods, the sufferers obtained TSS whereas shifting on a treadmill as a part of their physique weight was supported by a harness system. The outcomes had been promising-;three youngsters confirmed enhancements in strolling distance, and two had measurable beneficial properties in posture, pace, and general strolling operate.

Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, Supervisor of Scientific Schooling and Coaching at ICSCI and first investigator of the examine, says the analysis exhibits TSS is a secure, efficient intervention that provides a brand new path for rehabilitation and improved high quality of life.

It is encouraging to witness the transformations in these youngsters. TSS is revolutionizing the sector of neurorehabilitation, offering a secure various to the aggressive surgical procedures typically required for younger sufferers.”

Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, Supervisor of Scientific Schooling and Coaching at ICSCI

AFM usually follows a viral an infection and inflames the spinal cord, leaving youngsters with long-term paralysis of their diaphragm, arms and/or legs. In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, AFM impacts roughly one in 1 million youngsters in the USA every year. As a result of it’s so uncommon, it’s typically difficult for researchers to assemble giant pattern sizes mandatory for complete research. The analysis at Kennedy Krieger presents hope to households who typically have restricted choices.

“This therapy is giving households a long-awaited answer after they beforehand had no solutions,” mentioned Martin. “Now our objective is to proceed refining this strategy and make it extra extensively obtainable to those uncommon sufferers throughout the nation.”

ICSCI at Kennedy Krieger is working to develop therapies that restore operate for youngsters residing with advanced neurological situations.