Sensory discrimination training for adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Background

Sensory discrimination training (SDT) is a form of feedback guided sensory training used in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP).

Objective

This systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of SDT for CMP.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Scopus, OT Seeker, PEDro, ETHOS, Web of Science, and Open Grey were searched for appropriate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Included papers were assessed for risk of bias, and evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. The protocol was published on PROSPERO (anonymized).

Results

Ten RCTs met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. There was conflicting evidence from seven RCTs for the efficacy of SDT for chronic low back pain (CLBP). There was very low-quality evidence from two studies supporting the efficacy of SDT for phantom limb pain (PLP). There was very low-quality evidence from one RCT for the efficacy of SDT for Fibromyalgia. No adverse effects of SDT were identified.

Conclusions

SDT has been delivered in multiple forms in the literature. SDT does not appear to be associated with any adverse effects and shows potential regarding its clinical efficacy. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence upon which to make any firm clinical recommendations.

KEYWORDS:

• Pain
• sensory discrimination training
• systematic review

Declaration of interest

Two of the authors (CR and DM) are named inventors on a patent under submission for a novel sensory discrimination training-based medical device that could potentially be used for the treatment of chronic pain. The lead author’s PhD studies received part funding from Medi-Direct Ltd., a company with financial interest in the aforementioned sensory discrimination-based medical device. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.