Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review

Stroke patients' sensorimotor function is often affected, leading them to experience limitations in daily living activities. Cognitive sensorimotor training therapy, or Perfetti's method, is designed to recuperate both motor and sensory aspects through activating cognitive processes. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive sensorimotor training therapy compared with other interventions in enabling the recovery of upper-limb function after a stroke.

A systematic literature review was conducted on Perfetti's method from the first available publication to January 2026, consulting the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Two independent authors performed the search. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the internal validity.

Four studies with a variety of methodological design were included. Eight outcome variables related to upper limb's recovery were analyzed. Upper-limb function was the most studied outcome, but only one study showed statistically significant differences between groups. Overall, participants undergoing Perfetti's method tended to show greater post-intervention improvements compared with control interventions; however, between-group differences were generally not statistically significant.

The included studies show heterogeneity regarding duration and intensity, among others, and it is difficult to draw robust conclusions. However, the results indicate some clinical benefits of Perfetti's method, although further well-designed studies are needed.