Effectiveness of Sensory Discrimination Tasks Involving the Nonparalyzed Upper Limb to Reduce Pain in the Right Upper Limb after Left Cerebral Hemorrhage: A Pilot Single-case Study
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: [Purpose] This paper reports a case in which sensory discrimination tasks performed using the nonparalyzed and paralyzed upper limbs, in this order, effectively reduced pain in the latter. [Participant and Methods] The patient was a 40-year-old female with a complaint of pain at rest in her right upper limb 6 months after left cerebral hemorrhage. As various symptoms such as allodynia were present, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 was determined to be the cause of the pain. The therapeutic approaches included: a tactile discrimination task using balls that varied in hardness, surface roughness, and size; and a hot-cold discrimination task using water of different temperatures. The patient performed these tasks for 30 minutes each day for a period of 1 week, with her non-paralyzed upper limb first, and then with her paralyzed upper limb. [Results] The patient’s correct answer rate was higher than when she used only her paralyzed upper limb. Within 1 week of intervention, her right upper limb pain at rest was reduced. [Conclusion] The results support the effectiveness of sensory discrimination tasks also using the non-paralyzed upper limb when it is difficult to perform these tasks with the paralyzed upper limb only.
Source: Rigakuryoho Kagaku
DOI: 10.1589/rika.38.144
Institution: Kansai University of Health Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4365806830