Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition affecting the young demographic and represents a significant clinical challenge due to the complexities associated with rehabilitating locomotor function. Aim This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the im...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Parisa Javadnia, Amir Reza Bahadori, Sara Ahmadi, Iman Amanizadeh, Mohammad Amin Fathollahi, Afshan Davari, Abbas Tafakhori, Alireza Soltani Khaboushan, Sajad Shafiee, Sara Ranji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-025-00996-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849402808747425792
author Parisa Javadnia
Amir Reza Bahadori
Sara Ahmadi
Iman Amanizadeh
Mohammad Amin Fathollahi
Afshan Davari
Abbas Tafakhori
Alireza Soltani Khaboushan
Sajad Shafiee
Sara Ranji
author_facet Parisa Javadnia
Amir Reza Bahadori
Sara Ahmadi
Iman Amanizadeh
Mohammad Amin Fathollahi
Afshan Davari
Abbas Tafakhori
Alireza Soltani Khaboushan
Sajad Shafiee
Sara Ranji
author_sort Parisa Javadnia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition affecting the young demographic and represents a significant clinical challenge due to the complexities associated with rehabilitating locomotor function. Aim This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on SCI. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis were executed following PRISMA guidelines. Data were thoroughly examined across several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, with a cutoff date of 15 December 2024. Statistical evaluations were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 3.0. Results The review incorporated nine studies including both animal and human participants with SCI that underwent DBS, four of which were subjected to meta-analysis. Targeted DBS sites included the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), and lateral hypothalamus. The meta-analysis comprised 154 rats; results indicated a significant enhancement in the BBB locomotion score post-DBS implantation (standardized mean difference (SMD) = − 2.028, 95% CI: − 3.144 to − 0.913, p < 0.001). However, a notable high degree of heterogeneity was observed (Q = 90.901, I 2 = 94.500, p < 0.001). There were no reported adverse events associated with the interventions. The quality assessments of the included studies revealed a low risk of bias. Conclusion The findings suggest that DBS, mainly targeting the MLR, demonstrates significant efficacy in motor rehabilitation in animal models. Consequently, it is advisable to consider further clinical trial studies to assess the safety and efficacy of this intervention in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries.
format Article
id doaj-art-8792ac5ccdab4e3aaa6da2c7291386b4
institution Kabale University
issn 1687-8329
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
spelling doaj-art-8792ac5ccdab4e3aaa6da2c7291386b42025-08-20T03:37:28ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery1687-83292025-07-0161111710.1186/s41983-025-00996-zEfficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysisParisa Javadnia0Amir Reza Bahadori1Sara Ahmadi2Iman Amanizadeh3Mohammad Amin Fathollahi4Afshan Davari5Abbas Tafakhori6Alireza Soltani Khaboushan7Sajad Shafiee8Sara Ranji9Iran University of Medical SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehran University of Medical SciencesMazandaran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition affecting the young demographic and represents a significant clinical challenge due to the complexities associated with rehabilitating locomotor function. Aim This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on SCI. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis were executed following PRISMA guidelines. Data were thoroughly examined across several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, with a cutoff date of 15 December 2024. Statistical evaluations were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 3.0. Results The review incorporated nine studies including both animal and human participants with SCI that underwent DBS, four of which were subjected to meta-analysis. Targeted DBS sites included the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), and lateral hypothalamus. The meta-analysis comprised 154 rats; results indicated a significant enhancement in the BBB locomotion score post-DBS implantation (standardized mean difference (SMD) = − 2.028, 95% CI: − 3.144 to − 0.913, p < 0.001). However, a notable high degree of heterogeneity was observed (Q = 90.901, I 2 = 94.500, p < 0.001). There were no reported adverse events associated with the interventions. The quality assessments of the included studies revealed a low risk of bias. Conclusion The findings suggest that DBS, mainly targeting the MLR, demonstrates significant efficacy in motor rehabilitation in animal models. Consequently, it is advisable to consider further clinical trial studies to assess the safety and efficacy of this intervention in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-025-00996-zSpinal cord injuriesDeep brain stimulationMesencephalic locomotor regionNucleus raphe magnusPeriaqueductal grayLateral hypothalamus
spellingShingle Parisa Javadnia
Amir Reza Bahadori
Sara Ahmadi
Iman Amanizadeh
Mohammad Amin Fathollahi
Afshan Davari
Abbas Tafakhori
Alireza Soltani Khaboushan
Sajad Shafiee
Sara Ranji
Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
Spinal cord injuries
Deep brain stimulation
Mesencephalic locomotor region
Nucleus raphe magnus
Periaqueductal gray
Lateral hypothalamus
title Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post-spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort efficacy of deep brain stimulation in locomotor function recovery post spinal cord injury a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Spinal cord injuries
Deep brain stimulation
Mesencephalic locomotor region
Nucleus raphe magnus
Periaqueductal gray
Lateral hypothalamus
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-025-00996-z
work_keys_str_mv AT parisajavadnia efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT amirrezabahadori efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT saraahmadi efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT imanamanizadeh efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT mohammadaminfathollahi efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT afshandavari efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT abbastafakhori efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT alirezasoltanikhaboushan efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT sajadshafiee efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT sararanji efficacyofdeepbrainstimulationinlocomotorfunctionrecoverypostspinalcordinjuryasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis