Game helps paralyzed man walk again

Second Life brings second hope

How would it feel to walk for the first time in 30 years? One severely paralyzed Japanese man found out this week, courtesy of a team of Japanese scientists.

In an experiment taking place at Japan's Keio University heralded as a world first, the man donned headgear which sensed brainwaves relating to his arms and legs. Just by imagining he was moving his limbs again, he was able to "walk" a character around Second Life, a popular virtual world.

Sound a little gimmicky? Not so fast. Although it'll never replace the mouse and keyboard for able-bodied folks, the team hopes to use the system to help stave off depression in immobilized patients -- no doubt a common problem.

Next up for the Japanese team is a system to allow patients to create text messages by mentally selecting letters. Cellphones may never be the same again.

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