title: The effectiveness of proprioceptive training for improving motor function: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Numerous reports advocate that training of the proprioceptive sense is a viable behavioral therapy for improving impaired motor function. However, there is little agreement of what constitutes proprioceptive training and how effective it is. We therefore conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of the available literature in order to provide clarity to the notion of training the proprioceptive system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four major scientific databases were searched. The following criteria were subsequently applied: (1) A quantified pre- and post-treatment measure of proprioceptive function. (2) An intervention or training program believed to influence or enhance proprioceptive function. (3) Contained at least one form of treatment or outcome measure that is indicative of somatosensory function. From a total of 1284 articles, 51 studies fulfilled all criteria and were selected for further review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, proprioceptive training resulted in an average improvement of 52% across all outcome measures. Applying muscle vibration above 30 Hz for longer durations (i.e., min vs. s) induced outcome improvements of up to 60%. Joint position and target reaching training consistently enhanced joint position sense (up to 109%) showing an average improvement of 48%. Cortical stroke was the most studied disease entity but no clear evidence indicated that proprioceptive training is differentially beneficial across the reported diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is converging evidence that proprioceptive training can yield meaningful improvements in somatosensory and sensorimotor function. However, there is a clear need for further work. Those forms of training utilizing both passive and active movements with and without visual feedback tended to be most beneficial. There is also initial evidence suggesting that proprioceptive training induces cortical reorganization, reinforcing the notion that proprioceptive training is a viable method for improving sensorimotor function.
authors: Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Center for Clinical Movement Science, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors: Joshua E
authors: JE
authors: Aman
authors: Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors: Naveen
authors: N
authors: Elangovan
authors: Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors: I-Ling
authors: IL
authors: Yeh
authors: Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Center for Clinical Movement Science, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Konczak
keywords: balance; joint position sense; kinesthesia; proprioception; somatosensory; stroke; therapy