International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Effectiveness of Sensory Compensation Approach for Hand Sensory-Motor Dysfunction Following Central Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Ken Kitai*, Tomohiro Ueda, Ryosuke Yamauchi, Yuji Mizushima, Shin Murata, Hideki Nakano, Mari Inoue, Hikaru Nagano and Takayuki Kodama

Background: Central cervical cord injury presents with sensory deficits in the hand. Literature has shown that humans can detect the friction that occurs when manipulating objects, and can perform finger muscle activity in response to this friction. However, to date, there is no established approach that can improve dexterity in people with hand sensory-motor impairments after central cervical cord injury. Therefore, we conducted rehabilitation using a tactile-discriminating, sensory-feedback compensation system device and investigated the efficacy of this intervention. Methods and findings: This case study had an interventional design. The patient complained of sensory-motor dysfunction of the hand after a central cervical cord injury. The study duration included 2 weeks of pre- and post-intervention evaluation and 6 weeks of rehabilitation performed at hospital B. Pegboard task, building block stacking task, and material identification task were performed every 10 minutes in each session. The left hand was evaluated for sensory and motor function and learnability. Additionally, electroencephalogram measurements showed that deep sensation, sense of agency, left hand numbness, and motor frequency improved post intervention. Furthermore, there was a reorganization of the sensory-motor domain. However, it was difficult to statistically determine the efficacy of the rehabilitation approach as our study was limited to a single patient. Prospective studies with a larger sample size are necessary to determine the efficacy of the rehabilitation approach statistically and definitively. Conclusion: This suggests that a rehabilitation approach using this device can be effective for patients with sensorymotor dysfunction of the hand following central cervical spinal cord injury.

Published Date: 2022-09-23; Received Date: 2022-08-15