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The effectiveness of proprioceptive training for improving motor function: a systematic review
Joshua E Aman1, Naveen Elangovan2, I-Ling Yeh2
1Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Center for Clinical Movement Science, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|February 13, 2015
Summary
Proprioceptive training significantly improves somatosensory and sensorimotor function, with specific methods like muscle vibration and joint position training showing notable gains. Further research is needed to optimize these interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Motor Control
Background:
- Proprioceptive sense training is proposed as a behavioral therapy for motor function deficits.
- Existing literature lacks consensus on standardized proprioceptive training protocols and their efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and clarify the definition and effectiveness of proprioceptive training.
- To synthesize evidence on various proprioceptive training methods and their impact on sensorimotor function.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of four major scientific databases was conducted.
- Studies were selected based on quantified proprioceptive measures, specific training interventions, and somatosensory outcome indicators.
- 51 studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 1284 articles.
Main Results:
- Proprioceptive training demonstrated an average improvement of 52% across all outcome measures.
- Muscle vibration (>30 Hz) and prolonged durations yielded up to 60% improvement.
- Joint position and target reaching training improved joint position sense by an average of 48% (up to 109%).
Conclusions:
- Proprioceptive training effectively enhances somatosensory and sensorimotor function.
- Training involving passive/active movements with or without visual feedback appears most beneficial.
- Evidence suggests proprioceptive training may induce cortical reorganization, supporting its role in sensorimotor rehabilitation.
