Source: ISNA, Tehran

Iranian researchers managed to design and build a machine which helps the patients suffering Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) increase their movement abilities.

An Iranian faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Amir Massoud Arab told ISNA that there is no treatment for the trauma and that rehabilitation plays a significant role in helping the patients to return to their previous condition to some extent.

Arab noted Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Rowing Machine has been made inside the country by Iranian experts and would increase the movement activities of SCI sufferer. It aims to functionalize the rehabilitation objectives.

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence.

Spinal cord injuries are described at various levels of "incomplete", which can vary from having no effect on the patient to a "complete" injury which means a total loss of function.

Arab noted patients' lack of movements as well as their dependence on wheelchair is considered to be of major threats for the SCI sufferers and the designed machine would decrease their dependency and let them have more activities.

He said the advantages of rowing exercise comparing to other ones is that upper limbs would be involved in movement as well as the lower limbs which would help the operation of the patients' heart, adding the machine has been tested on a number of patients and the results were satisfying.

Iranian lecturer pointed out the machine possesses a fly wheel which is equipped with magnetic brakes with 9 resistance level, adding there is a chair equipped with a dorsal so that the patient do not have any problem while sitting on it.

Originally posted here:
Iran builds machine to help SCI patients' movements

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