Assessment and Brain Training of Patients Experiencing Head and Facial Pain with a Distortion of Orofacial Somatorepresentation: A Narrative Review

The management of patients experiencing chronic orofacial pain is a great challenge, due to the complexity itself, combined with an increased peripheral sensitization in craniofacial itself. Therefore, may present clear distortion somatorepresentation after some time. In this review, authors develop neurophysiological explanation distortion, as well propose assessment and treatment options, based on scarcely available scientific evidence their own clinical experience. assessments facial somatosensory, cognitive-affective motor dysfunctions are crucial establish most accurate treatment; tools described article. Two-point discrimination, laterality recognition emotion altered pain. Other sensorimotor tools, such acuity auditory acuity, also explained. Finally, review proposals, integration brain training techniques biobehavioral interventions. Somatosensory reintegration (tactile training), recognition, movement representation techniques, therapeutic patient education explained detail, challenge new directions rehabilitation research.