The Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Training for Improving Motor Performance and Motor Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

ObjectiveProprioceptive training is any intervention aiming to improve proprioceptive function with the ultimate goal to enhance motor function and performance. It has been promoted as an approach to enhance athletic performance and as a tool for sensorimotor rehabilitation. Numerous studies sought to provide evidence on the effectiveness of the approach. However, many different training regimes claiming to train proprioception report a variety of sensorimotor measures that are not directly comparable. This, in turn, makes it difficult to assess effectiveness across approaches. It is the objective of this study to systematically review recent empirical evidence to gain an understanding of which outcome measures are most sensitive, which populations may benefit most from proprioceptive training, and what are the effects on proprioceptive and motor systems.MethodsFour major databases were searched. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) A quantified pre- and post-treatment measure of proprioceptive function. (2) An intervention or training program believed to influence or enhance proprioceptive function. (3) Contained at least one form of treatment or outcome measure that is indicative of somatosensory function and not confounded by information from other sensory modalities. 4) The study reported of at least one quantified measure of motor performance.ResultsOf the 3,297 articles identified by the database search, 70 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for further review. Across studies, proprioceptive training led to comparable gains in both proprioceptive (+46%) and motor performance (+45%). The majority of studies (50/70) applied active movement interventions. Interventions applying somatosensory stimulation were most successful in clinical populations. Joint position sense error (JPSE) was the most commonly used proprioceptive measure and presents a reliable and feasible measure for clinical use.ConclusionProprioceptive training can lead to significant improvements in proprioceptive and motor function across a range healthy and clinical populations. Regimens requiring active movement of the trainee tended to be most successful in improving sensorimotor performance. Conclusive evidence on how long training gains are retained is still lacking. There is no solid evidence about the underlying long-term neuroplastic changes associated proprioceptive training

Molecular analysis and electromyoneurographic abnormalities in Croatian children with proximal spinal muscular atrophies

Childhood onset proximal spinal muscular atrophy presents with considerable clinical variability. This study included 14 Croatian children aged 11 days to 8 years with spinal muscular atrophy types I-III verified clinically and electromyoneurographically. DNA of affected children was screened for deletions of exons 7 and 8 of the survival motor neuron gene and for deletion of exon 5 of the neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein gene. Motor nerve conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential amplitude were decreased in children with spinal muscular atrophy type I and II. Deletions of exons 7 and 8 of the survival motor neuron gene and of exon 5 of the neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein gene in children with spinal muscular atrophy type I-II suggested existence of more genetic abnormalities as compared to type III. A decrease in compound muscle action potential amplitude and motor nerve conduction velocity in children with spinal muscular atrophy correlated with the disease severity, probably as a result of axonal degeneration. Phenotypic severity in children onset spinal muscular atrophy is directly correlated with the extent of survival motor neuron and neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein exon deletions