Spinal cord stimulation for upper limb motor function in people with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a feasibility trial - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Evaluation of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Enhancing Upper Limb Motor Abilities in Individuals with Chronic Hemiparesis Following Stroke: A Feasibility Study

  • 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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  • 1

    Stroke causes significant arm paralysis, affecting approximately 400,000 individuals annually in the U.S.

  • 2

    Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may enhance motor function in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis without requiring rehabilitation.

  • 3

    The pilot study demonstrated that SCS is safe and feasible, improving strength, dexterity, spasticity, and movement synergies.

  • 4

    Maximal motor improvements occurred with SCS ON, while retention of benefits depended on continued use of the device.

  • 5

    Participants with milder sensory impairments showed greater responsiveness to SCS, indicating variability in treatment outcomes.

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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