Comparative analysis of the activation of the cortical projection area of the hand by auditory stimuli from a sensor glove model in subjects undergoing surgical repair of the ulnar and median nerves

• Grant number: 12/04459-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Nilton Mazzer
• Grantee: Nilton Mazzer
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Antonio Carlos dos Santos ; Carlos Ernesto Garrido Salmon ; Claudio Henrique Barbieri ; Raquel Metzker Mendes Sugano

Abstract

The recovery of peripheral nerve injuries in upper limb still has poor functional results. Thus, the early rehabilitation of sensory function, using the sensor glove becomes a fundamental tool in the search for better results. The aims of this study are compare and evaluate the activation of the post central gyrus by auditory stimuli from a sensor glove and the hand sensory function among subjects undergoing and not undergoing an early sensibility rehabilitation protocol. To participate in the study will be asked 30 subjects of both genders, age between 18 and 50 years and who have undergone surgical repair of median or ulnar nerve injuries at wrist or hand levels, in maximum of 15 days. Subjects must be in physical therapy, have norme hearing and absence of diseases affecting the central or peripheral nervous system. Will be performed randomization and allocation of volunteers into two groups: the experimental group, which will be submitted to the application of early sensibility rehabilitation protocol with the sensor glove for three months and the control group, not submitted. The sensory function of the hand will be evaluated by the esthesiometry and two-point discrimination tests and the DASH questionnaire, at the beginning and the third month of treatment. The activation of post central gyrus by auditory stimuli will be verified by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging, three months after the initial assessment of sensibility. After completion of the tests the statistical analysis of data will be performed. (AU)