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
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