Advances in clinical practice of spinal cord stimulation

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2026.01.011

Abstract

Abstract: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a non-pharmacological neuromodulation technique used to treat various neurological disorders. It functions by delivering electrical impulses to specific areas of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, thereby modulating abnormal neural signal transduction to alleviate symptoms. In recent years, the clinical applications of SCS have significantly expanded beyond its primary indication for refractory chronic pain. It is now increasingly utilized in diverse areas, including functional recovery in central paralysis, improvement of lower limb blood perfusion, intervention for diabetic foot pain and dysfunction, and promotion of arousal in consciousness disorder patients. This review summarizes recent clinical advances and mechanistic explorations of SCS in these expanding indications. It emphasizes the critical importance of postoperative programming management for optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Finally, the review discusses current challenge and future direction.

Key words: Spinal cord, Electric stimulation therapy, Pain, Hemiplegia, Ischemia, Lower extremity, Diabetic foot, Consciousness disorders, Review

摘要： 脊髓电刺激术是一种用于治疗多种神经系统疾病的非药物干预的神经调控技术，通过刺激脊髓背柱特定神经区域调节神经信号转导，达到治疗和缓解症状之目的。近年来，脊髓电刺激术已经从以难治性疼痛为主要适应证，逐步拓展至痉挛性瘫痪功能改善、下肢供血改善、糖尿病足疼痛和功能障碍干预、意识障碍促醒等方面。本文综述脊髓电刺激术在上述疾病中的临床应用及机制研究进展，强调术后程控管理，并展望未来发展方向。

关键词: 脊髓, 电刺激疗法, 疼痛, 偏瘫, 缺血, 下肢, 糖尿病足, 意识障碍, 综述

CLC Number:

R741
R651

ZHANG Yun-sheng, WANG Qi, YANG Wen-qiang, YU Yan-bing, ZHANG Li. Advances in clinical practice of spinal cord stimulation[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Neurology and Neurosurgery, 2026, 26(1): 77-84.

张昀昇, 王琦, 杨文强, 于炎冰, 张黎. 脊髓电刺激术临床应用进展[J]. 中国现代神经疾病杂志, 2026, 26(1): 77-84.

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