Somatodyspraxia: A novel term proposition as a primary factor of apraxia and its applicability in the PAINT Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Model for brain injury

Abstract

This article proposes the term Somatodyspraxia to refer to the difficulties in body management and postural adjustments for performing actions, due to alterations in somatosensory and proprioceptive processing, as a consequence of acquired brain injury. In addition, we propose Somatoapraxia as a primary factor for apraxia and describe its applicability for a Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Model for apraxia. The explanatory models of apraxia, the somatosensory and proprioceptive alterations underlying various types of apraxia, and their manifestation in different neurological conditions, are taken into consideration. Recognizing Somatodyspraxia as a clinical component of patient’s life allows its integration for the improvement of current existing rehabilitation programs.