Open AccessChallenges for the 21st Century: The Future of Electrical Neuromodulation
Author(s) -
Simpson Brian A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2006.00134.x
Subject(s) - neuromodulation , mindset , medicine , quality (philosophy) , action (physics) , engineering ethics , engineering , computer science , philosophy , physics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , stimulation
After a checkered past, the modern era of therapeutic neuromodulation began in the 1960s, since when many targets and applications have been developed. Some have come and gone. To compete successfully for limited resources, good‐quality evidence of efficacy is increasingly demanded. This was previously lacking, as was a full appreciation of the implications of neuromodulation being a long‐term treatment for chronic conditions. Its future will involve a complex interaction of improved understanding of the indications and mechanisms of action, exciting new indications, more mature assessment of outcomes, socioeconomic considerations, and fundamental technological developments. A shift away from a medication‐dominated mindset should help physical treatments like neuromodulation to fulfill their enormous potential in future years. Earlier application may even modify the course of some conditions.