Article

Sensory relearning (SR) first described in the 1970s by Wynn-Parry and Dellon has
evolved over the last 20 years as a result of new insights into cortical
plasticity. It has eluded precise definition, and a detailed description of its
"key ingredients" is rarely documented in published studies investigating
effectiveness. The purpose of this two-part study was to define SR and describe
the content of an SR program in the treatment of peripheral nerve disorders of
the hand. The first part included a review of current published evidence and a
survey of clinical practice. The second part comprised a Delphi method to develop
consensus on the definition and indicative content of an SR program with a view
to evaluating its clinical effectiveness in future trials. The Web-based survey
of SR practices among European hand therapists was undertaken first. A total of
70 respondents returned their questionnaires representing 10 European-member
countries. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the responses. The
results confirmed that both classical and novel techniques for SR are being used
by hand therapists. Classical methods, such as retraining of tactile gnosis
through graded textures, shapes, and objects, were more frequently used than
newer methods, such as mirrors or sensory substitution, which have been advocated
as part of early-phase retraining and were developed in the last 10 years. An
internet-mediated Delphi method with seven experts from four European countries
yielded consensus on a definition of SR and its indicative content. Further work
is needed to ensure that this can be translated into feasible treatment programs
that can be evaluated in future trials. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Consensus study.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.

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