Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) has emerged as a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the therapeutic potential of EES in functional recovery following incomplete SCI remains limited, with few studies of a large sample size. This study included 11 patients who received EES combined with physical therapy (PT) and 10 who received only PT. Follow-ups were conducted pre-surgery, post-surgery, and at 19 to 25 months postoperatively. After the surgery, patients in the EES + PT group showed significant improvements in sensory function (P < 0.001) and muscle spasticity (P < 0.001). Long-term follow-up indicated that the EES + PT group had significant improvements in sensory function (P < 0.001), muscle spasticity (P < 0.01), and urinary function (P < 0.05). Among them, all 11 patients had improvements in sensory function and muscle spasticity, and 6 of 11 reported an improvement in urinary function. Moreover, of the 5 patients with neuropathic pain, 4 exhibited reduced pain scores. Compared with the PT-only group, the EES + PT group had significantly better recovery in sensory function (P < 0.01), muscle spasticity (P < 0.0001), muscle strength (P < 0.01), and bowel function (P < 0.01). Further analysis suggested that patients with less severe SCIs in the EES + PT group tend to achieve better functional recovery. With a relatively large sample size compared to those in previous studies, this study confirms the promising therapeutic effects of EES in SCI. EES combined with PT provides a potential approach for functional recovery in patients with incomplete SCI.

The brain-computer interface (BCI) is not merely an advanced technology but also represents a profound revolution spanning neuroscience, artificial intelligence, computer science, philosophy, and sociology. The core value of BCI lies in its ability to break through the informational barriers between the brain and the external world, endowing humans with novel capabilities for information interaction and propelling the evolution of an intelligent society. As a disruptive technological innovation, BCI fundamentally alters the way humans interact with the world, and its applications will profoundly influence our understanding of cognition, consciousness, and even self-existence. For neurosurgery, BCI is not only a revolutionary therapeutic tool but also an opportunity to reshape traditional medical paradigms. From repairing neural damage to modulating brain functions, from enhancing human intelligence to shaping the future of human-machine integration, BCI offers unprecedented possibilities for neurosurgery. The development of this technology not only aids in a deeper understanding of brain functions but also provides robust support for future intelligent healthcare. The impact of BCI extends far beyond medicine, influencing the transformation of future computing paradigms, the proliferation of intelligence augmentation, the scrutiny of social ethics, the deployment of national strategies, the dynamics of economic development, and the safeguarding of national security.