American Academy of Pain Medicine consensus guidelines on neuromodulation technologies and neurocomputer interfaces for pain management and functional recovery
Abstract
Objective: To provide an evidence-based framework for healthcare professionals to use neuromodulation technologies to restore neuromuscular function and relieve pain.
Methods: An expert panel, convened by the American Academy of Pain Medicine Foundation, conducted a literature review of English-language studies published between 2015 and 2025 using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus (detailed in Supplementary Material S2). The panel screened abstracts, extracted key data, and evaluated evidence quality using a modified United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria. A Delphi process was used to achieve expert consensus on clinical recommendations for various neuromodulation technologies: artificial intelligence-guided and robotic rehabilitation systems, virtual/augmented reality interfaces, brain-computer interfaces, electrical nerve stimulation (encompassing peripheral nerve stimulation transcutaneous electrical stimulation), vagus nerve stimulation, multifidus neurostimulation, surgery (eg, regenerative peripheral nerve interface), scrambler therapy, spinal cord stimulation for motor restoration, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Results: The panel provided clinical recommendations and discussed mechanisms of action, evidence, and clinical considerations for each intervention. Evidence for these technologies is evolving, with some showing promising results in areas like improving upper limb function post-stroke, improving functional spine-related outcomes, and reducing chronic pain.
Conclusions: Neuromodulation technologies offer a promising approach for neuromuscular restoration, focusing on interventions that promote functional recovery rather than solely providing symptomatic care. Areas for future research include more high-quality, large-scale studies with consistent outcome measures.
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BibTeX
@article{emerick2026american,
title = {{American Academy of Pain Medicine consensus guidelines on neuromodulation technologies and neurocomputer interfaces for pain management and functional recovery}},
author = {Trent Emerick and Kevin E Vorenkamp and Vinicius Tieppo Francio and Shriya Srinivasan and Priyanka Singla and Joel Castellanos and Farshad M Ahadian and Zheyan Chen and Anna Lepesteur Gianlorenco and Danielle Sarno and Nalini Sehgal and Nikhil Murthy and Antje M Barreveld},
journal = {Pain Medicine: The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1093/pm/pnag076},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnag076},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - American Academy of Pain Medicine consensus guidelines on neuromodulation technologies and neurocomputer interfaces for pain management and functional recovery
AU - Trent Emerick
AU - Kevin E Vorenkamp
AU - Vinicius Tieppo Francio
AU - Shriya Srinivasan
AU - Priyanka Singla
AU - Joel Castellanos
AU - Farshad M Ahadian
AU - Zheyan Chen
AU - Anna Lepesteur Gianlorenco
AU - Danielle Sarno
AU - Nalini Sehgal
AU - Nikhil Murthy
AU - Antje M Barreveld
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/22
JO - Pain Medicine: The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
DO - 10.1093/pm/pnag076
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnag076
AB - Objective: To provide an evidence-based framework for healthcare professionals to use neuromodulation technologies to restore neuromuscular function and relieve pain. Methods: An expert panel, convened by the American Academy of Pain Medicine Foundation, conducted a literature review of English-language studies published between 2015 and 2025 using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus (detailed in Supplementary Material S2). The panel screened abstracts, extracted key data, and evaluated evidence quality using a modified United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria. A Delphi process was used to achieve expert consensus on clinical recommendations for various neuromodulation technologies: artificial intelligence-guided and robotic rehabilitation systems, virtual/augmented reality interfaces, brain-computer interfaces, electrical nerve stimulation (encompassing peripheral nerve stimulation transcutaneous electrical stimulation), vagus nerve stimulation, multifidus neurostimulation, surgery (eg, regenerative peripheral nerve interface), scrambler therapy, spinal cord stimulation for motor restoration, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Results: The panel provided clinical recommendations and discussed mechanisms of action, evidence, and clinical considerations for each intervention. Evidence for these technologies is evolving, with some showing promising results in areas like improving upper limb function post-stroke, improving functional spine-related outcomes, and reducing chronic pain. Conclusions: Neuromodulation technologies offer a promising approach for neuromuscular restoration, focusing on interventions that promote functional recovery rather than solely providing symptomatic care. Areas for future research include more high-quality, large-scale studies with consistent outcome measures.
SN - 1526-2375
SN - 1526-4637
ER -