Research progress in spinal cord electrical stimulation for consciousness recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness

Disorders of consciousness (DOC) are neuropsychiatric disorders with causes that include traumatic brain injury, hypoxia, and stroke. The possibility of spontaneous recovery is low, and treatment remains a difficult problem in the frontier challenge of neuroscience and medicine. With progress in neurocritical care, the number of patients with DOC is growing. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can improve the level of consciousness in patients with DOC. The present article reviews the current research status and development trends of SCS in promoting consciousness recovery in patients with DOC. It also seeks to identify the frontier problems and challenges associated with this neuroregulatory technology. Through a systematic review of the relevant literature, criteria for inclusion and exclusion in SCS therapy were established, suitable patients with DOC were identified, and the effects of different stimulation frequencies on consciousness and motor function were examined. Additionally, the optimal SCS mode was investigated, and evaluation criteria, treatment mechanisms, and factors influencing effectiveness were summarized. The present review aims to guide the clinical application and research development of SCS. Although SCS has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of DOC, responses to SCS exhibit significant individual variation. Consequently, further studies are necessary to expand the sample size for continued exploration and enhancement.