Analysis of Functional Outcomes in Spinal Cord Injury Patients Treated With Spinal Cord Stimulation

Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a promising therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury (SCI). This study evaluates SCS effectiveness across functional domains by AIS levels, assessing sensory, motor, daily living, walking independence, and quality of life outcomes.

Methods: Nineteen SCI patients who received SCS were categorized by AIS levels (A–D). Pre- and post-intervention measurements were collected for sensory and motor function, Barthel Index (for daily activities), Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI), and WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL). The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was applied to analyze differences between pre- and post-intervention scores, focusing on subgroup comparisons by AIS level and age to understand specific patterns of improvement.

Results: Across all patients, significant improvements were observed in motor scores (mean increase from 41.53 to 51.74), p< 0.05 and quality of life scores (mean increase from 64.58 to 72.95), with particularly notable gains in the AIS C and D groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that AIS D patients showed the most comprehensive improvements, including motor, Barthel Index, WISCI, and WHOQOL scores. Age-based analysis showed that younger groups (20-39 and 40-59) achieved significant gains in sensory, motor, and quality of life measures, underscoring the potential influence of age on SCS efficacy.

Conclusion : SCS demonstrated promising effects on motor and functional recovery in SCI patients, with the greatest benefits observed in those with less severe impairments (AIS C and D). Quality of life improvements, especially significant in younger patients and those with moderate impairment, suggest that SCS can enhance both physical and psychological recovery. These findings highlight the value of SCS in SCI rehabilitation and provide insights for future research on optimizing treatment parameters to improve patient outcomes.