Research Abstract
Academy Title:page2006
Research Article: Sensorimotor training: A “global” approach for balance training
Sensorimotor training was developed by Dr. Vladimir Janda as part of a
treatment approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes. He noted that many
of these syndromes exhibited characteristic patterns of muscle imbalance, which
were manifested with changes to the central nervous system motor programming.
Janda emphasized the importance of proprioception in the rehabilitation process. In
order to restore normal muscle firing patterns and reflexive stabilization, he
developed a specific proprioceptive exercise progression for patients with chronic
musculoskeletal pain. Sensorimotor training emphasizes postural control and
progressive challenges to the sensorimotor system to restore normal motor programs
in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Patients progress through static,
dynamic, and functional phases using simple rehabilitation tools such as balance
boards, foam pads, and elastic bands. This paper will describe the scientific
rationale for the program and describe the clinical progression of sensorimotor
training.