Year: 2025 | Month: August | Volume: 15 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 204-209
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250825
A Comparative Study Between Bimanual Coordination Exercise and Desensitization Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
S. Jeevanath1, D. Kannan1, R. Ferdinand2, M. P. Thenmozhi3, S. Kohilavani4, K. Anantharaj5, R. Vishnupriya6, S. Sathyapriya7
1MPT Student and Principal/Professor
2,3,4,5,6,7Professors. JKK Munirajah Medical Research Foundation, College of Physiotherapy, Komarapalayam, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, Chennai.
Corresponding Author: S. Jeevanath
ABSTRACT
Background: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition usually triggered by an injury, characterized by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin’s temperature and color in the affected area. CRPS involves dysfunction or damage to the central or peripheral nervous system, leading to abnormal pain processing and sensory disturbances. Treatment strategies focus on pain relief and functional restoration, with exercise therapy and sensory retraining gaining prominence due to their potential to induce neuroplastic changes and improve patient outcomes.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of bimanual coordination exercises with desensitization therapy in individuals suffering from CRPS. The study seeks to determine which intervention more effectively reduces pain, improves motor function, and enhances sensory processing.
Method: A comparative study was conducted involving two groups of CRPS patients Group A receives bimanual coordination exercises, while Group B underwent desensitization therapy. Pain intensity was measured using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and CRPS severity score was assessed with a standardized severity score. Both pre and post intervention values were recorded and analyzed statistical analysis included paired and unpaired 't' tests to determine the significance of differences within and between groups.
Results: Both interventions led to significant reductions in pain and CRPS severity scores within their respective groups. Group A (Bimanual coordination exercises) demonstrated a greater decrease in NPRS cores (mean differences = 3.13) compared to Group B (desensitization therapy, mean difference =2.13). Similarly, the reduction in CRPS severity score was higher in Group A (mean difference = 3.47) than in Group B (mean difference = 2.07). Then between group analysis confirmed that these differences were statistically significant, favoring bimanual coordination exercises for both pain reduction and functional improvement.
Conclusion: Both bimanual coordination exercises and desensitization therapy are effective in reducing pain and improving function in patient with CRPS. However, bimanual coordination exercises provide superior benefits compared to desensitization therapy. These findings support the integration of bimanual coordination exercises into rehabilitation programs for optimal management of CRPS.
Key words: Bimanual coordination exercise, desensitization therapy, complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS.