Motor imagery performance and tactile acuity in patients with complaints of arms, neck and shoulder.

AIM: This study aims to gain more knowledge of the sensorimotor incongruence in patients with chronic nonspecific complaints of arm, neck and shoulder.

METHOD: Seven patients and seven healthy controls performed a left/right judgment task, and tactile acuity was assessed by the two-point discrimination threshold at fingers and shoulders.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The results suggest a decreased tactile acuity in patients with chronic nonspecific complaints of arm, neck and shoulder and a faster reaction time at the painful arm, which might imply disturbed information processing of sensory and motor feedback. Due to the small sample size and low scores on the pain and disability questionnaires, these conclusions should be interpreted with care. Further research is recommended.