Experience and Feasibility of Methods for Early Sensory Training

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The good effects of using guided plasticity for a rehabilitative purpose in case of nerve damage have been shown, but a problem that has been presented is that some individuals find it difficult to assimilate these effects due to difficulties in carrying out abstract training or due to a lack of motivation. In early sensory training, the plasticity of the brain is used. Methods for early sensory training that have been described are: 1) mental imagery of touch (mental imagery), 2) observation of touch, 3) mirror training, 4) use of images for visualization of touch. The method needs to be developed and refined to be able to offer individual training plans in order to find a motivating and meaningful form of training.

Official Title
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Experience and Feasibility of Methods for Early Sensory Training Phase 1 - From a User Perspective

Conditions
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Nerve Injury, Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: sensory relearning


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: >= 50% injury of N. Medianus/ N. Ulnaris or 100% digital nerve injury dig I and/or dig II Ålder: ≥ 18 år Exclusion Criteria: Impaired cognitive ability Documented psychiatric diagnosis Inability to master the Swedish language

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Observation fo touch<br> | Behavioral: sensory relearning<br>* feasibility of early sensory relearning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Observation of pictures<br> | Behavioral: sensory relearning<br>* feasibility of early sensory relearning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Imagery of touch<br> | Behavioral: sensory relearning<br>* feasibility of early sensory relearning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Mirror therapy<br> | Behavioral: sensory relearning<br>* feasibility of early sensory relearning<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PETS - The Problematic Experience of Therapy Scale | questionnaire, 5-grading scale from strongly agree to 'strongly disagree'' to all items in a subscale are recoded as ''no barriers'', and all other scores are recoded as ''some barriers or doubts'' for completing the therapy/sensory relearning. | 4 weeks post intervention | 
| ESRQ - Early sensory relearing questionaire | questionnaire, 5-grading scale from strongly agree to 'strongly disagree'' | 4 weeks post intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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periferal nerve injuries, sensory relearning, rehabilitation, imagery, mirror therapy