ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine the correlation of cognitive ability with functional sensibility. METHOD: 130 patients with median and ulnar nerve repair at the distal forearm level and wrist level were included. Mean time since surgery and age were 44.35 months (range 23-68) and, 33.44 years (range 18-71), respectively. The patients underwent an assessment of sensory function of the hand and a battery of specific tests for cognitive capacity. RESULTS: A multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between functional sensibility and cognitive capacity [Block design test (Beta=0.40, p=0.00); Reaction time (Beta=-0.32, p=0.00); The Stroop color word test (Beta=0.16, p=0.04)]. DISCUSSION: The results suggested that, cognitive capacity factors are associated with functional sensibility after nerve repair. These results may be mentioned cognitive rehabilitation programs would enhanced functional outcome following nerve repair.
Subject(s)
Cognition/physiology , Median Nerve/injuries , Peripheral Nerve Injuries/rehabilitation , Recovery of Function/physiology , Sensation/physiology , Ulnar Nerve/injuries , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Hand/physiology , Humans , Male , Median Nerve/surgery , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Retrospective Studies , Ulnar Nerve/surgeryABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to test if deprivation of tactile sense can be compensated by the hearing sense, early after nerve repair in the hand. METHOD: This tool was used early after repair of the ulnar nerve with the intention of improving recovery of hand sensibility by maintaining an active sensory map of the hand in the somatosensory cortex during the deafferentation period. "Audiovisual tactile" was used early after repair of the ulnar nerve repair in a 25-years-old man. Sensory evaluation was done at regular intervals in 2, 5 and 7 months after introduction of the intervention. RESULTS: Results showed that sensory results are better in the patient who used the artificial sensibility regimen compared with the one who did not. DISCUSSION: This result suggests that deprivation of one sense can be compensated by another sense.
