Background: Sensory discrimination training has been shown in the literature to be an effective treatment targeting somatosensory cortex reorganization that occurs in chronic pain populations. It aims to improve tactile acuity of the painful body region which has been shown to reduce pain. The purpose of this case report is to describe the practical use and challenges associated with utilizing graphesthesia, a form of sensory discrimination training, as a primary intervention for an individual with chronic bilateral lower leg pain. Case Description: A 45-year-old white male was seen in an outpatient clinic with the primary complaint of bilateral lower leg pain. He has been suffering from chronic shin pain since he sustained bilateral tibial stress fractures over 20 years ago. Intervention: Graphesthesia was used as a primary intervention targeting the somatosensory cortex. Other interventions included general core and lower extremity strengthening exercises in addition to gradually introducing aerobic activity. Outcomes: The patient showed improvements in graphesthesia performance, reduced pain, and improved activity tolerance. PROMIS Pain Interference 6b and LEFS were used as outcome measures. Discussion: There were many challenges associated with using graphesthesia as a primary intervention including patient buy-in, lack of research regarding optimal dosage, and barriers associated with completing the intervention at home. Limitations of this case report include not using two-point discrimination as the assessment of tactile acuity and variability in stimuli used during treatment sessions due to multiple different people leading treatment sessions.
Dissertation
Utilization of Graphesthesia as a Primary Intervention in an Individual with Chronic Bilateral Lower Leg Pain: A Case Report
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Autumn 2022
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Utilization of Graphesthesia as a Primary Intervention in an Individual with Chronic Bilateral Lower Leg Pain: A Case Report
- Creators
- Michelle Hafner - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Laura Frey-Law (Advisor) - University of IowaMichael Petrie (Advisor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2022
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 10 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2022 Michelle Hafner
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984560349502771
Metrics
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