Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) have made significant advancements with helping children who have a rare spinal condition regain the ability to walk.Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) is a rare but severe neurological condition causing sudden paralysis. A new study published in the journal Children shows that combining Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (TSS) and movement training can help children with AFM improve their ability to walk.TSS is non-invasive, using electrical current running through pads placed on the skin to the spine. The therapy increases volume on the signals that travel from the brain through the spinal cord. This helps activate muscles and restore motor function.The study involved four children with spinal cord injuries caused by AFM. Over the course of 22 therapy sessions, patients received TSS while moving on a treadmill as part of their body weight was supported by a harness system.“The results were promising—three children showed improvements in walking distance, and two had measurable gains in posture, speed, and overall walking function,” according to the press release.Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, Manager of Clinical Education and Training at ICSCI was primary investigator of the study. Martin says the research demonstrates TSS is safe and effective as an intervention, offering a new path for rehabilitation and improved quality of life for children with AFM.“It’s encouraging to witness the transformations in these children,” Martin said. “TSS is revolutionizing the field of neurorehabilitation, providing a safe alternative to the aggressive surgeries often required for young patients.”The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that AFM affects around one in one million children in the United States each year. AFM usually comes after a viral infection, inflaming the spinal cord, which leaves the child with long-term paralysis in their diaphragm, arms, and/or legs. Because of how rare it is, it is difficult to gather a large sample size for comprehensive studies. The Kennedy Krieger research, however, still offers hope to families whose children suffer from paralysis from AFM and who have limited options.“This treatment is giving families a long-awaited solution when they previously had no answers,” Martin said. “Now our goal is to continue refining this approach and make it more widely available to these rare patients across the country.”ICSCI at Kennedy Krieger is working to develop therapies to help restore function for children living with complex neurological conditions. To learn more about additional research and studies underway at ICSCI, click this link.