Researchers from the Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have pioneered a groundbreaking 3-kilogram wearable brain stimulation device, offering new hope for accessible mental health treatment. Published in Nature Communications, the innovation addresses the bulk and impracticality of traditional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) machines, which typically weigh over 50 kilograms and confine patients to clinical settings.
The portable device employs lightweight magnetic core coils and advanced high-voltage pulse driving techniques, slashing energy consumption by 90% while enabling dynamic brain modulation during movement. According to lead researcher Qi Ziwei, trials demonstrated enhanced neural activity coordination during walking, revealing pathways for real-world applications in stroke rehabilitation and depression therapy.
Senior engineer Liu Hao highlighted the device's potential integration with non-invasive brain signal detection technologies, stating: "Real-time brain signal decoding could create a closed-loop neuromodulation system, moving brain-computer interfaces from labs to daily life." This leap could democratize treatment for chronic neuropsychiatric conditions through at-home and community-based care models.
The innovation arrives as global demand for non-invasive mental health solutions surges, with analysts noting implications for elderly care and digital health markets across Asia. (With input from Xinhua)
