Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 18, 2025

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Sensory and Motor Brain Regions with Simultaneous Kinematic and EMG Monitoring During Motor Tasks
11:31

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Sensory and Motor Brain Regions with Simultaneous Kinematic and EMG Monitoring During Motor Tasks

Published on: December 5, 2014

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Cerebral Palsy Link to Sensorimotor System, Cognition, Emotion and Nociplastic Pain

Wolfgang Laube1, Mathilde Sengoelge1

  • 1Department for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Center for Health Sciences and Medicine, A-3500 Krems, Austria.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral palsy (CP) involves brain damage affecting sensorimotor function, cognition, and emotion, leading to chronic pain. Early interventions are key for managing pain and improving function in individuals with CP.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Pain Medicine

Background:

  • Brain damage before, during, or after birth alters sensorimotor function, impacting cognition, emotion, and pain perception.
  • This leads to functional developmental disorders and chronic deconditioning, affecting the brain's neuromatrix structure and function.
  • Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit a high prevalence of chronic pain syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate connections between the sensorimotor system, cognition, emotion, and pain in individuals with deconditioning or delayed sensorimotor development.
  • To specifically apply these concepts to individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).
  • To highlight the role of CP as both a predisposing and causal factor for nociplastic pain.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a narrative review of existing literature.
  • It synthesizes information on the pathophysiology of sensorimotor alterations and their systemic effects.
  • The review focuses on the link between developmental disorders and chronic pain conditions.

Main Results:

  • Altered sensorimotor function due to brain damage is intrinsically linked to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes.
  • Chronic deconditioning exacerbates these alterations, contributing to primary and secondary degenerative diseases.
  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is identified as a significant factor in the development of nociplastic pain.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic interventions are essential for optimizing movement, cognitive, and emotional functions in individuals with CP.
  • Effective management strategies are crucial for reducing the high prevalence of chronic pain in this population.
  • Addressing sensorimotor deficits is key to improving overall quality of life for individuals with CP.

Keywords:
cerebral palsychronic paincognitiondeconditioningemotionsmovementsensorimotor developmental delay

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