A new electronic device could help stroke patients recover movement and control of their hands, researchers say.

Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Each year, approximately 795,000 people in this country suffer a stroke, and nearly early three-quarters of them are over the age of 65.

Partial paralysis of the arms, typically on just one side, is common after stroke, and can affect someone's ability to wash, dress or feed themselves.

Only about 15 percent of stroke patients spontaneously recover the use of their hand and arm, with many people left facing the rest of their lives with a severe level of disability.

According to the researchers, use of this device may strengthen the connections between the brain and the spinal cord, to help stroke patients regain such movement.

The device, which is size of a mobile phone, delivers a series of small electrical shocks to help strengthen the connections between the brain and the spinal cord.

Following successful tests using primates and healthy humans, the device is now undergoing a clinical trial in India which will involve 150 stroke patients, with the aim of finding out whether the device can lead to improved hand and arm control.

The research is published in Journal of Neuroscience.
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