Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a medical treatment that involves using an implanted device to send electrical impulses to the spinal cord to help manage chronic pain. The device consists of a small generator that is implanted under the skin and attached to one or more thin wires, called leads, which are placed near the spinal cord.
SCS works by sending electrical signals to the nerves in the spinal cord that transmit pain signals to the brain. The electrical impulses can disrupt these pain signals, reducing the amount of pain that is perceived by the brain. This can provide significant relief for people who suffer from chronic pain that is not effectively managed by other treatments such as medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
It seems that SCS could be even more helpful than researchers initially thought.
Stroke patients were able to regain mobility in arms
According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers used a spinal cord stimulation device to restore arm and hand mobility in stroke patients, allowing them to perform daily activities. The device uses thin metal electrodes to stimulate neural circuits in the spinal cord, enabling weakened muscles to lift arms and grasp objects.
The therapy led to immediate improvements in strength, range of motion, and function of the arm and hand, and some benefits persisted for several weeks after the device was removed. This approach could lead to more long-term improvements in motor function, but more research is needed. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative and is part of an ongoing clinical trial.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, approximately 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. This makes stroke one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Stroke affects people of all ages and backgrounds, but it is more common in older adults, particularly those over the age of 65.
