UW Brain Implant Restores Keith McKenzie's Hand Function 2 Months After Stroke Trial Surgery
Updated
Updated · KOMO News · Jun 15
UW Brain Implant Restores Keith McKenzie's Hand Function 2 Months After Stroke Trial Surgery
1 articles · Updated · KOMO News · Jun 15
Summary
Two months after University of Washington surgeons implanted a temporary brain device, Keith McKenzie regained enough finger movement and strength to play piano keys again.
McKenzie, a Lynden musician, had lost left-arm function in a 2021 stroke and said his recovery had plateaued after years of limited progress.
By late May, occupational therapy sessions at UW's Amplifying Movement & Performance lab had advanced him from struggling to hold his arm up to moving individual fingers.
The implant is designed to help rewire the brain during recovery and then be removed once function returns, according to the trial team.
McKenzie is the second participant; UW has already implanted a third patient and is seeking a fourth for the stroke-recovery study.
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Restoring Movement After Stroke: University of Washington’s Temporary Brain Implant Shows Immediate Breakthroughs in Rehabilitation
Overview
Recent breakthroughs in stroke rehabilitation, led by the University of Washington brain implant trial, are giving new hope to survivors. The implant is restoring lost functions and helping people regain independence, as seen in Keith McKenzie's story—he can now play the piano and do daily tasks again. Patients feel a renewed sense of possibility because the device bridges the gap between intention and action. This temporary implant works by stimulating the brain to relearn movements, offering immediate and life-changing benefits for those who had reached a plateau in their recovery.