The State-of-the-Science on Somatosensory Function and Its Impact on Daily Life in Adults and Older Adults, and Following Stroke

Abstract

The aim was to identify and synthesize research evidence about how adults and older adults process somatosensory information in daily activities, and the interventions available to regain somatosensory function following stroke. We developed two interacting concept maps to address the research questions. The scoping review was conducted from 2005 to 2015 across Web of Science, AMED, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, and PsychInfo databases. Search terms included somatosensory, perception, performance, participation, older adult, stroke, intervention, discrimination, learning, and neuroplasticity. Contributions from 103 articles for Concept 1 and 14 articles for Concept 2 are reported. Measures of somatosensory processing, performance, and participation used are identified. Interventions available to treat somatosensory loss are summarized in relation to approach, outcome measures, and theory/mechanisms underlying. A gap exists in the current understanding of how somatosensory function affects the daily lives of adults. A multidisciplinary approach that includes performance and participation outcomes is recommended to advance the field.

Effects of Somatosensory Impairment on Participation After Stroke

“…It is based on a dichotomous measure of somatosensory impairment (NIHSS) obtained early poststroke, at the time of hospitalization, and on quantitative measurement of retained activity participation (ACS) in instrumental, leisure, and social activities at a median time of 222 days poststroke. This study addresses an identified gap in the literature, highlighted recently in two reviews (Carey et al, 2016;Meyer et al, 2014). Our finding is consistent with and advances the current literature on the effect of somatosensory impairment on activity participation (Desrosiers et al, 2002;Hill et al, 2014;Morris, van Wijck, Joice, & Donaghy, 2013).…”

“…They also report problems with personal, family, and work roles. Despite the high prevalence and apparent importance of somatosensation in daily activities, there is limited empirical evidence to quantify the presence and nature of a relationship between impaired somatosensation and participation in daily activities, as highlighted in two recent reviews (Carey, Lamp, & Turville, 2016;Meyer, Karttunen, Thijs, Feys, & Verheyden, 2014). The impact of somatosensory loss on participation is therefore critical to address to understand the factors that affect participation and to improve client-centered care planning.…”

“…A major knowledge gap about the impact of somatosensory impairment after stroke on participation in life activities has been recently identified in a scoping review (Carey et al, 2016) and in a systematic review (Meyer et al, 2014). Hill, Fisher, Schmid, Crabtree, and Page (2014) reported a good to excellent relationship between performance of and satisfaction with valued activities, assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Law et al, 2014), and intact sensation of the hand in 50 stroke survivors.…”

“…Somatosensory impairment after stroke has been associated with impaired daily actions and activities, according to clinical and laboratory studies (Borstad & Nichols-Larsen, 2014;Carey et al, 2016;Kessner, Bingel, & Thomalla, 2016;Meyer et al, 2014). Somatosensory loss reduces control of hand movements (Jeannerod, Michel, & Prablanc, 1984) and of the fundamental pinch-grip-lift-and-hold task (Blennerhassett, Matyas, & Carey, 2007) and limits grip force control during object manipulation (Nowak & Hermsdörfer, 2005).…”

“…We therefore investigated the impact of somatosensory impairment on participation in stroke survivors with and without motor impairment. This approach is important because rehabilitation traditionally targets motor problems, often without attending to somatosensory deficits known to affect performance (Carey, 2015;Kalra, 2010), despite the availability of interventions to remediate somatosensory deficits (Carey et al, 2016;Carey, Macdonell, & Matyas, 2011).…”