Management of Chronic Pain after Surgery for Cervical Spondylosis by Unimodal Sensory Integration: A Case Study

• Published in: Rigaku ryoho kagaku 2021, Vol.36(2), pp.269-274
• Main Author: MURABE, Yoshiya
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; jpn
• Subjects: cervical spondylosis; Chronic pain; Pain management; Surgery; unimodal sensory integration
• ISSN: 1341-1667; 2434-2807
• DOI: 10.1589/rika.36.269

[Purpose] This paper reports a case, where intervention, mainly promoting the integration of information from several somatic senses in the cervical region, was effective to continuously manage chronic pain after surgery for cervical spondylosis by improving the cognitive/emotional aspects of pain and resolving its vicious cycle. [Participants and Methods] The patient was a female in her eighties, who had undergone cervical fusion surgery for cervical spondylosis about 5 months previously. As defensive contraction and fear were reduced by promoting the integration of information from several somatic senses involved in cervical motor control (deep sensation in the neck, tactile pressure perception in the back of the head, and weight perception in the head), she performed active assistive neck exercise combined with this. [Results] Chronic pain in the cervical region was alleviated, activities of daily living improved, and fear of pain and active exercise was reduced. [Conclusion] This intervention may be effective to manage chronic pain in the cervical region after surgery.