A new device delivers a weak electrical shocks followed by an audible click to strengthen brain and spinal connections in stroke patients.

An electronic device the size of a mobile phone could transform care for stroke patients and help them regain movement and control of their hands.

The small bit of kit, which is being tested in British medical trials, delivers a series of weak electrical shocks followed by an audible click to strengthen brain and spinal connections.

Developed by neuroscientists at Newcastle University, it is thought this technology could revolutionise treatment for patients by providing a wearable solution to the effects of stroke.

Professor Stuart Baker said: "We have developed a miniaturised device which delivers an audible click followed by a weak electric shock to the arm muscle to strengthen the brain's connections.

"This means the stroke patients in the trial are wearing an earpiece and a pad on the arm, each linked by wires to the device so that the click and shock can be continually delivered to them.

"We think that if they wear this for four hours a day we will be able to see a permanent improvement in their extensor muscle connections which will help them gain control on their hand."

The techniques to strengthen brain connections using paired stimuli are well documented, but until now this has needed bulky equipment with a mains electricity supply.

Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the team looked at how to strengthen connections in the reticulospinal tract, which is one of the signal pathways between the brain and spinal cord.

This is because when people have a stroke, they often lose the major pathway found in all mammals connecting the brain to spinal cord.

A clinical trial will now get under way.