SensoriMOtorControl of the wrist: A sensorimotor control-based exercise program for patients with chronic wrist pain.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic wrist pain is a common disorder that can lead to considerable disability in performing activities in daily living and at work. Patients with nonspecific chronic wrist pain are regularly referred to a physiotherapist/hand therapist. Immobilization, avoiding excessive wrist load, steroid injections, and various physical therapy methods predominantly focus on the pain itself. However, these methods often do not result in a satisfactory long-term pain relief.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In this article, we will describe the principles behind and content of a sensorimotor control-based exercise program as introduced by Videler et al., modified and substantiated by current insights into sensorimotor control training and wrist kinetics.

METHODS: Both structure and content of the modified exercise program (SMoC-wrist) are substantiated by recent scientific literature.

RESULTS: A clear 4-level exercise model based on sensorimotor principles is presented, that is, proprioceptive level, conscious static/isometric level, conscious dynamic level, and unconscious dynamic level. The content of each level and the transition toward the next level are described in detail.

DISCUSSION: Besides the substantiation of the exercise program, possible outcome measures for joint position sense and kinesthesia of the wrist are discussed.

CONCLUSION: We modified and substantiated a widely used exercise program for patients with nonspecific chronic wrist pain based on recent insights into sensorimotor control principles and wrist kinematics. The presented exercise program (SMoC-wrist) is not primarily focused on reducing pain but on functional reeducation and strengthening of the neuromusculoskeletal system on the basis of sensorimotor control principles.