Impact of Sensory Re-education Paradigm on Quality of Life, Tactile Sensation, and Proprioceptive Acuity in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Polyneuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of sensory re-education on quality of life and sensation in patients with post-COVID-19 polyneuropathy. METHODS: Forty patients with post-COVID-19 polyneuropathy were randomly assigned to a study group (Group A) or a control group (Group B), each with 20 participants. Group A received a sensory re-education protocol plus the traditional physiotherapy, including proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and strengthening exercises for wrist extensors, hand grip, and thumb opposition. Group B received the traditional physiotherapy alone. Both groups were treated for one hour, three times weekly, for six weeks. Quality of life was assessed using the Arabic WHOQOL-BREF. Tactile sensation was assessed using the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament (SWM) test, and proprioception via the laser-pointer angle reproduction test (LP-ART). Assessments were performed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant pre- to post-treatment improvements in quality of life, proprioception, and tactile sensation (p≤ 0.05). Group A demonstrated significantly greater gains in quality of life and proprioception compared to Group B (p≤ 0.05), but no statistically significant difference between groups in tactile sensation (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sensory re-education, when integrated into traditional physiotherapy, significantly improves quality of life and proprioception in post-COVID-19 polyneuropathy but does not significantly affect tactile sensation. These findings support incorporating sensory re-education into rehabilitation protocols to enhance functional outcomes in this population. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID: NCT05911113.