Cervical spinal cord stimulation and poststroke arm function
Patients with chronic poststroke hemiparesis experienced a 32% increase in strength and improved motor scores during cervical epidural stimulation in a 7-patient feasibility trial.
By
Andrea Surnit
August 25, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Cervical spinal cord stimulation and poststroke arm function
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Chronic poststroke hemiparesis Key Mechanisms Cervical epidural spinal cord stimulation Target Population Patients aged 31 to 64 years with chronic ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and persistent upper-limb weakness Care Setting Feasibility trial
Key Highlights
32% increase in strength during stimulation 5.6-point improvement in Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores Improvements observed regardless of baseline impairment severity Spasticity decreased in all participants Selective stimulation of cervical spinal segments important for hand function Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Evaluate chronic poststroke hemiparesis in patients with upper-limb weakness Management
Consider cervical epidural spinal cord stimulation for improving motor function Monitoring & Follow-up
Assess motor function and spasticity during and after stimulation Risks
Limited precision of efficacy estimates due to small sample size Absence of a control group may restrict interpretation of improvements Patient & Prescribing Data
7 patients with chronic poststroke hemiparesis
Improvements in motor function and strength observed with stimulation
Clinical Best Practices
Monitor for improvements in hand and finger movement during stimulation Evaluate sensory function as it may correlate with responsiveness to stimulation Consider individual neurologic characteristics when assessing treatment response Related Resources & Content
