Paralyzed Hand Moved by Thought

Doctors have documented the first case of a paralyzed arm being moved by the power of thought. Doctors at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center have helped Ian Burkhart, a man paralyzed below his elbow, move his hand by implanting a chip in his brain. Burkhart’s brain was hooked up to a computer monitor and he trained moving an animated hand with his thoughts. After practicing drills, Burkhart last week opened and closed his hand, even briefly picking up a spoon just by willing it with his thoughts. He has a long way to go toward full movement, but Burkhart is moving closer to that goal. “It would really be nice to just do something as simple as open up a water bottle myself,” he said.