J Neurosurg 143:1217–1226, 2025
This individual participant data meta-analysis evaluates central thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for chronic disorders of consciousness, pooling 49 patients from seven centers to assess neurological outcomes via the JFK Coma Recovery Scale–Revised. Results show modest mean CRS-R improvement, with age and shorter delay to implantation predicting better gains, but insufficient evidence that DBS alters the natural recovery trajectory.
The report details heterogeneity in targets, stimulation schedules, and methodological limitations—no randomized controls, selection bias, and variable reporting—highlighting the need for matched comparative studies, standardized outcome metrics, and refined targeting (CL vs CM-Pf/DTTm) to determine DBS efficacy and optimize patient selection.
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