Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025
09:16
Dynamic Quantitative Sensory Testing to Characterize Central Pain Processing
Published on: February 16, 2017
17.0K
Sensory retraining for Central Post-Stroke Pain: A subgroup analysis within a randomized controlled trial
Hadas Ofek1,2, Mordechai Alperin3, Yocheved Laufer1
1Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Welfare and Health Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Neurorehabilitation
|January 15, 2023
Summary
Sensory Retraining (SR) significantly reduced pain intensity in Central Post Stroke Pain (CPSP) patients. This effective treatment for neuropathic pain was well-tolerated and maintained benefits at follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Neuropathic pain syndromes can be managed with Sensory Retraining (SR).
- Central Post Stroke Pain (CPSP) is a debilitating condition requiring effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of explicit Sensory Retraining (SR) for Central Post Stroke Pain (CPSP).
- To compare SR with repeated exposure (RE) in managing CPSP symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 23 post-stroke patients with central pain.
- Participants were assigned to either explicit Sensory Retraining (SR) or repeated exposure (RE) for lower limb stimuli.
- Pain intensity, sensory function, balance, gait, and participation were assessed by a blinded evaluator.
Main Results:
- A significant group*time interaction was observed for pain intensity (VAS), with SR group experiencing a decrease from 56/100 to 23/100.
- Nine out of eleven patients in the SR group showed a positive response, with sustained pain relief at follow-up.
- Improvements were also noted in tactile threshold detection, suggesting potential pain alleviation mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Explicit Sensory Retraining (SR) shows preliminary evidence of clinical effectiveness for Central Post Stroke Pain (CPSP).
- SR may alleviate pain by improving tactile threshold detection in CPSP patients.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
