Application and progress of magnetic field therapy for spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI), which results in severe neurological loss and multiple complications, remains a global health problem. Although SCI is a central nervous system injury, the field of related therapies has shown great promise, with breakthroughs regarding the theory of central nervous system irreparability. However, from the perspective of neuroprosthetics, the relevant basic theories are not always fully recognized or clearly understood, which poses a challenge to clinical practice guidance. Magnetic therapy technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and various magnetic therapy methods have emerged. Magnetic field therapy (MFT), with applications in SCI treatment, is considered a promising strategy for nerve repair and provides a theoretical foundation for subsequent research. MFT, including transcranial magnetic stimulation, static magnetic field, and pulsed electromagnetic field, has been used preclinically, and clinical studies have shown potential efficacy in SCI. Moreover, preclinical studies have revealed that MFT promotes nerve repair, reduces inflammatory responses, improves motor function, and enhances bladder control. They have also demonstrated that MFT is safe in human SCI patients and may improve motor function and pain control. However, its translation from preclinical studies to clinical application faces many challenges, including biological differences, determination of dose and treatment parameters, assessment of safety and side effects, and ethical and regulatory compliance. The present article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the applications and advances of MFT in SCI, to guide future research and provide a reference for clinical treatment. An in-depth discussion of MFT in the field of SCI may provide new ideas and directions for neural repair in SCI.