Sensory retraining: a cognitive behavioral therapy for altered sensation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Orofacial Pain Management

Background:

• Altered orofacial sensations, including hypoesthesia, are common post-injury.
• These sensations can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
• Current management strategies may not fully address the subjective experience of altered sensations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate sensory retraining as an intervention for post-injury orofacial altered sensations.
• To explore the efficacy of sensory retraining in improving the perception of orofacial signals.
• To assess the potential of sensory retraining to reduce the burden of altered sensations.

Main Methods:

• Sensory retraining involves exercises to help patients ignore or minimize unpleasant sensations.
• The program focuses on enhancing the ability to perceive weakened signals from damaged tissues.
• Initiation of the exercise program shortly after injury is emphasized.

Main Results:

• Sensory retraining is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive exercise program.
• Early initiation of sensory retraining can lessen the objectionable impression of orofacial altered sensations.
• The exercises are most effective in decreasing the perceived burden of hypoesthetic orofacial altered sensations.

Conclusions:

• Sensory retraining offers a promising, accessible approach to managing orofacial altered sensations.
• The technique empowers patients to better interpret sensory information post-injury.
• Further research may explore long-term outcomes and broader applications of sensory retraining.