Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), a significant optical nonlinear effect, has garnered considerable attention in the field of fiber-optic sensing technology, driving continuous research exploration and innovative applications. In this paper, we review the progress on the application of SBS effects in distributed optical fiber sensing technology over the past two decades. First, Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA), single-ended BOTDA, and locally stimulated Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry (BOTDR) emerged as well-engineered representatives of SBS optical time-domain sensing technology. These methods have gained popularity among engineers owing to their practical applications in fields such as civil engineering, rail transit, energy, and submarine cables, where temperature and strain serve as the primary monitoring parameters; these applications continue to expand. Subsequently, in the mid-stage of SBS technology research, new techniques such as Brillouin dynamic grating (BDG) and forward stimulated Brillouin scattering (FSBS) were proposed, advancing the measurement capabilities of fiber-optic sensing in terms of high precision and spatial resolution. These techniques have also broadened the range of measurable parameters, including lateral pressure, salinity, and other material compositions. By summarizing the advancements in SBS-related research and conducting comparative analyses and discussions of these technologies, we aim to provide new perspectives and insights to promote the development of distributed optical fiber sensing technology.