Behavioural therapy in patients with CRPS typ I induces cortical reorganisation and pain reduction

Introduction: The Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a serious complication that occurs after a trauma of a limb. Recent studies provide evidence for a shrinkage of cortical maps in primary somatosensory cortex contralateral to the CRPS affected limb. The degree of reduction thereby appeared to be linked to pain intensity. Combining functional magnetic resonance imaging with psychophysical tests and a pain adapted sensorimotor training program consisting of graded desensitization protocols and motor tasks in ascending difficulty, we studied cortical reorganization in the primary and secondary somatosensory…