Mike Cummings is strapping up and getting ready for the walk of his life.

"It's the walk I thought I'd never walk again."

Mike has Multiple Sclerosis.

It's a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.

"I feel like my brain is going ah hah, this is what we used to do."

He's walking again with the help of this robotic based rehabilitation therapy.

Dr. Albert Lo says,"What's really nice about this is it's moving his legs through a precise gait cycle with a biofeedback system. We can see how much the robot contributes and how much he's contributing."

The technology is the focus of a clinical trial at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in West Haven led by Dr. Albert Lo.

"It's familiar but remote..."

Dr. Lo is gathering data to determine the impact it has on MS patients.

"It's very encouraging that everybody has had a positive response, not only through what they say but also as we look at the numbers in general. Everybody is walking faster, farther and with better endurance."

For MS patient Peter Falcione, it means walking with a cane instead of a walker.

"We did have a period where there was a three week delay between portions and a second one and during that three week delay, I regressed, so if I'm off of this for any period of time, I'm afraid I'll go back to a walker, maybe get a wheelchair or scooter."

While it appears to be restoring function, which no other drug has been able to do so far, Dr. Lo says definitive results and a much larger clinical trial are needed before MS patients can expect this.

Dr. Lo is looking to recruit more MS patients for the study, specifically women and non-veterans.

42,000 people in Connecticut have multiple sclerosis. There is no cure for MS.

To help fund more research and a wide range of programs to those living with MS, you can take part in the bayer MS walk this Sunday at nine locations in the state.

For more information on the trial: Dr. Albert Lo (203) 932-5711 x5734 or email albert.lo@yale.edu

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