ROLE OF TACTILE ACUITY WITH CHRONIC NON-SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN PATIENTS- Effects of Graphesthesia on Two Point Discrimination
Salerto, Sara; Wirth, Muriel (2017)
Salerto, Sara
Wirth, Muriel
Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017091815172
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017091815172
Tiivistelmä
Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain (CNSLBP) is a very common health problem worldwide and a major cause of disability. The causes of the onset of low back pain remain unclear and in most cases the origins remain unknown.
There is growing evidence supporting the idea that disruption of cortical structure and altered sensory function, particularly sensory acuity, is a feature of CNSLBP. These changes could contribute to the persistence of the pain state and may represent a valid focus for therapy. New treatment approaches have been introduced that aim to normalize disturbed cortical representations and improve body perception. One of these approaches is Graphesthesia tactile acuity training, which aims to stimulate the somatosensory system and reorganize the altered cortical representations of the body.
The aim of this thesis was to determine whether CNSLBP patients demonstrate disturbed tactile acuity and body perception as well as investigate whether Graphesthesia training influences their Two Point Discrimination outcomes. A literature review was made to declare the status of research and an experiment was conducted to test a Graphesthesia home training program on CNSLBP patients.
The results support earlier findings indicating that CNSLBP patients demonstrate disturbed body perception and tactile acuity of the low back. Graphesthesia training was found to improve the Two Point Discrimination outcomes, however it is still unclear whether Graphesthesia contributes to the management of CNSLBP.
This thesis was done in collaboration between Zürich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK).
There is growing evidence supporting the idea that disruption of cortical structure and altered sensory function, particularly sensory acuity, is a feature of CNSLBP. These changes could contribute to the persistence of the pain state and may represent a valid focus for therapy. New treatment approaches have been introduced that aim to normalize disturbed cortical representations and improve body perception. One of these approaches is Graphesthesia tactile acuity training, which aims to stimulate the somatosensory system and reorganize the altered cortical representations of the body.
The aim of this thesis was to determine whether CNSLBP patients demonstrate disturbed tactile acuity and body perception as well as investigate whether Graphesthesia training influences their Two Point Discrimination outcomes. A literature review was made to declare the status of research and an experiment was conducted to test a Graphesthesia home training program on CNSLBP patients.
The results support earlier findings indicating that CNSLBP patients demonstrate disturbed body perception and tactile acuity of the low back. Graphesthesia training was found to improve the Two Point Discrimination outcomes, however it is still unclear whether Graphesthesia contributes to the management of CNSLBP.
This thesis was done in collaboration between Zürich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK).