Sensory retraining: a cognitive behavioral therapy for altered sensation

Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2011 Mar;19(1):109-18. doi: 10.1016/j.cxom.2010.11.006.

Abstract

Sensory retraining teaches the patient to ignore or blot out postinjury unpleasant orofacial sensations to optimally tune into and decipher the weakened and damaged signals from the tissues. Sensory retraining is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive exercise program, which initiated shortly after injury, can lessen the objectionable impression of orofacial altered sensations. Sensory retraining exercises are most effective on decreasing the perceived burden associated with hypoesthetic orofacial altered sensations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biofeedback, Psychology / physiology
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Cognitive Reserve / physiology
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Facial Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Feedback, Physiological / physiology
  • Humans
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Sensation / physiology*
  • Somatosensory Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / rehabilitation