Spinal cord stimulation for upper limb motor function in people with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a feasibility trial - Scorecard - MDSpire

Spinal cord stimulation for upper limb motor function in people with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a feasibility trial

  • By

  • Roberto M. de Freitas

  • Shovan Bhatia

  • Erynn Sorensen

  • Nikhil Verma

  • Erick Carranza

  • Scott Ensel

  • Luigi Borda

  • Amy Boos

  • Jeff Goldsmith

  • Lee E. Fisher

  • Daryl P. Fields

  • Marc P. Powell

  • Shane Gordon

  • Jeffrey Balzer

  • Robert M. Friedlander

  • George F. Wittenberg

  • Peter C. Gerszten

  • John W. Krakauer

  • Elvira Pirondini

  • Douglas J. Weber

  • Marco Capogrosso

  • June 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Evaluation of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Enhancing Upper Limb Motor Abilities in Individuals with Chronic Hemiparesis Following Stroke: A Feasibility Study

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
Condition
Key MechanismsEpidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) activates dorsal root afferents to improve motor function, providing both immediate assistive effects and long-term therapeutic benefits.
Target Population
Care Setting

Key Highlights

  • SCS improved strength, dexterity, spasticity, and movement synergies, with maximal efficacy observed when stimulation was ON.
  • Retention of motor improvements depends on continued use of SCS, with milder sensory impairments correlating with greater motor function improvements.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

    Management

      Monitoring & Follow-up

      • Daily motor assessments using standardized tools during SCS implant period.

      Risks

        Patient & Prescribing Data

        SCS provides immediate assistive effects and potential long-term therapeutic benefits across diverse stroke etiologies.

        Clinical Best Practices

        • Follow FDA regulations for non-significant risk studies and evaluate long-term outcomes post-implantation.

        Related Resources & Content

        Original Source(s)

        Spinal cord stimulation for upper limb motor function in people with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a feasibility trial

        • by Roberto M. de Freitas, Shovan Bhatia, Erynn Sorensen, Nikhil Verma, Erick Carranza, Scott Ensel, Luigi Borda, Amy Boos, Jeff Goldsmith, Lee E. Fisher, Daryl P. Fields, Marc P. Powell, Shane Gordon, Jeffrey Balzer, Robert M. Friedlander, George F. Wittenberg, Peter C. Gerszten, John W. Krakauer, Elvira Pirondini, Douglas J. Weber, Marco Capogrosso

        • June 4, 2026

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