[Clinical application of the Bregma test : Point prevalence in healthy, pain-free and chronic pain patients and change of test results during interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy]

Schmerz. 2020 Aug;34(4):319-325. doi: 10.1007/s00482-020-00453-1.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Background: The Bregma test as an investigation of sensorimotor deficits has not yet been broadly applied. It is considered to be a test for the presentation of general sensorimotor abilities in a standing position. Pain patients often show disorders in physical perception and movement.

Objective: Are there differences in the point prevalence of the Bregma test in patients (with and without diagnosis F45.41) or healthy persons? In a second part the development of pathological Bregma test values was observed in the context of an interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMST).

Material and methods: Point prevalence of pathological test results in 3 groups, total n = 218. Monitoring of the course of an IMST at the beginning and end of a day clinic setting, n = 60.

Results: Healthy and "non-F45.41" patients showed a <15% frequency of pathological Bregma test results. In "F45.41 patients" the frequency was >50%. Within the framework of an IMST the pathological movements could be reduced to approximately 33%.

Conclusion: Increased body perception disorders are known in chronic pain patients. The Bregma test is able to detect at least some of the patients with sensorimotor deficits. Chronic pain patients significantly differ from healthy or other patient groups. The deficits in the controllability of myofascial tissue (coordination) can also be improved during a 4-week IMST.

Keywords: Bregma test; Clinical trial; Pain therapy; Posture control; Sensorimotor control.

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Pain*
  • Humans
  • Pain Management*
  • Prevalence