Sensory-Based Priming for Upper Extremity Hemiparesis After Stroke: A Scoping Review.
Mary E Stoykov, Courtney Heidle, Shamshir Kang and 3 others
PMID 34311607WHAT IT FOUND
Most studies found that adding sensory priming to motor training improved arm function in stroke patients.
However, protocols varied wildly in dose and method, and many were small pilots, so there is no single proven recipe to copy yet.
Key findings
01Of the 30 studies reviewed, 23 reported significant improvements in motor or sensory outcomes for participants who received priming, while seven showed no significant change.
02Vibration and temporary functional deafferentation (TFD) priming showed consistent positive results, with 10 of 11 vibration studies and 3 of 3 TFD studies reporting significant improvements.
03There is major variability in how priming is delivered, with intervention times ranging from 25 minutes to 4,320 minutes and no consensus on optimal stimulation parameters.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The review included many small pilot and feasibility studies, which limits the certainty of the findings. There was extreme variability in intervention dosage (25 to 4,320 minutes) and stimulation parameters, making it impossible to identify the most effective protocol. Publication bias was noted as a limitation, meaning studies with negative results may not have been published. Few studies included follow-up assessments, so the long-term durability of the effects is unknown.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H., Extramural).
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high number of positive studies as proof that sensory priming is superior to standard motor training. Many included studies were small pilots without control groups, and the review explicitly states that optimal parameters and protocols are not yet known.