The Effect of Somatosensory Stimulation on Recovery of the Integrity of the Somatosensory Pathway after Brain Damage.
10.4040/jkan.2004.34.7.1255
- Author:
Dae Ran KIM
1
Author Information
1. Department of Physiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Korea. mimichs@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Somatosensory evoked potentials;
Brain damage
- MeSH:
Adult;
Afferent Pathways;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Brain Injuries/physiopathology/*rehabilitation;
*Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Somatosensory Cortex/*physiopathology
- From:
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
2004;34(7):1255-1264
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 3-week somatosensory stimulation program on the integrity of the somatosensory pathway of patients with brain damage. METHOD: The sample consisted of two groups of patients with brain damage matched by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and age:8 patients with a mean age of 56.75 years who were treated with somatosensory stimulation, and 8 patients with a mean age of 58.88 years, who were not treated with sensory intervention program. A repeated measures matched-control group design was used to assess functional recovery of the brain. The instrument used in this study was SSEP (somatosensory evoked potentials), a neurophysiological parameter, for the integrity of the somatosensory pathway. RESULTS: The hypothesis that patients with brain damage who were treated with the somatosensory stimulation program will show higher SSEP wave form scores than the non-treatment group was supported (3rd week.: U=13.000, p=.014). Additional repeated measures analysis showed that there were no significant differences in recovery trends between the groups (F=1.945, p=.159). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a somatosensory stimulation program is effective in promoting recovery of the integrity of the somatosensory pathway of patients with brain damage.
