Abstract
Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the
efficacy of sensory discrimination training (SDT) on sensorimotor
performance in individuals with a neurological condition affecting the
central nervous system.
Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED, CENTRAL, PsychINFO,
Scopus, OT Seeker, PEDro, ETHOS, Web of Science, and Open Grey were
systematically searched for appropriate randomised controlled trials
(RCTs). Included studies were assessed for risk of bias and the quality of
the evidence was rated using the GRADE approach. The protocol was
registered on PROSPERO (CRD42017055237).
Results: Six RCTs met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All studies used
manual tactile discrimination to retrain somatosensation. Somatosensory
effect sizes (0.12 – 0.92) and motor function effect sizes (0.12 – 10.39)
ranged from trivial to large with narrative analysis revealing some
between-group difference in favour of the intervention group. However,
the total sample size (n=220) was relatively small, and the quality of the
included studies was low.
Conclusions: SDT may have potential to be an efficacious treatment
option for improving sensorimotor performance in individuals with
neurological conditions. However, at present there is limited evidence on
which to base any firm clinical recommendations.
efficacy of sensory discrimination training (SDT) on sensorimotor
performance in individuals with a neurological condition affecting the
central nervous system.
Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED, CENTRAL, PsychINFO,
Scopus, OT Seeker, PEDro, ETHOS, Web of Science, and Open Grey were
systematically searched for appropriate randomised controlled trials
(RCTs). Included studies were assessed for risk of bias and the quality of
the evidence was rated using the GRADE approach. The protocol was
registered on PROSPERO (CRD42017055237).
Results: Six RCTs met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All studies used
manual tactile discrimination to retrain somatosensation. Somatosensory
effect sizes (0.12 – 0.92) and motor function effect sizes (0.12 – 10.39)
ranged from trivial to large with narrative analysis revealing some
between-group difference in favour of the intervention group. However,
the total sample size (n=220) was relatively small, and the quality of the
included studies was low.
Conclusions: SDT may have potential to be an efficacious treatment
option for improving sensorimotor performance in individuals with
neurological conditions. However, at present there is limited evidence on
which to base any firm clinical recommendations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | British Journal of Occupational Therapy |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 May 2021 |