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Frucht L, Perez DL, Callahan J, MacLean J, Song PC, Sharma N, Stephen CD. Functional Dystonia: Differentiation From Primary Dystonia and Multidisciplinary Treatments. Front Neurol 2021; 11:605262. [PMID: 33613415 PMCID: PMC7894256 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.605262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is a common movement disorder, involving sustained muscle contractions, often resulting in twisting and repetitive movements and abnormal postures. Dystonia may be primary, as the sole feature (isolated) or in combination with other movement disorders (combined dystonia), or as one feature of another neurological process (secondary dystonia). The current hypothesis is that dystonia is a disorder of distributed brain networks, including the basal ganglia, cerebellum, thalamus and the cortex resulting in abnormal neural motor programs. In comparison, functional dystonia (FD) may resemble other forms of dystonia (OD) but has a different pathophysiology, as a subtype of functional movement disorders (FMD). FD is the second most common FMD and amongst the most diagnostically challenging FMD subtypes. Therefore, distinguishing between FD and OD is important, as the management of these disorders is distinct. There are also different pathophysiological underpinnings in FD, with for example evidence of involvement of the right temporoparietal junction in functional movement disorders that is believed to serve as a general comparator of internal predictions/motor intentions with actual motor events resulting in disturbances in self-agency. In this article, we present a comprehensive review across the spectrum of FD, including oromandibular and vocal forms and discuss the history, clinical clues, evidence for adjunctive "laboratory-based" testing, pathophysiological research and prognosis data. We also provide the approach used at the Massachusetts General Hospital Dystonia Center toward the diagnosis, management and treatment of FD. A multidisciplinary approach, including neurology, psychiatry, physical, occupational therapy and speech therapy, and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy approaches are frequently required; pharmacological approaches, including possible targeted use of botulinum toxin injections and inpatient programs are considerations in some patients. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent unnecessary investigations and procedures, while facilitating the appropriate management of these highly complex patients, which may help to mitigate frequently poor clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Frucht
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David L. Perez
- Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Functional Neurological Disorder Research Program, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Neuropsychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Janet Callahan
- MGH Institute of Healthcare Professionals, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Julie MacLean
- Occupational Therapy Department, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Phillip C. Song
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nutan Sharma
- Functional Neurological Disorder Research Program, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Dystonia Center and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christopher D. Stephen
- Functional Neurological Disorder Research Program, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Dystonia Center and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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EMG Feedback Alone and in Combination with Posture Feedback: A Comparative Treatment Study in a Case of Torticollis. BEHAVIOUR CHANGE 2014. [DOI: 10.1017/s0813483900005787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A single-case design was used to explore the effects of EMG feedback versus EMG-plus-posture feedback in the treatment of overt symptoms of torticollis in an elderly female patient. It was found that EMG levels of the sternomastoid muscle were inversely related to EMG of the trapezius muscle, rather than systematically related to components of treatment. Resting posture showed a pattern of improvement, especially with regard to shoulder asymmetry and forward flexion. Also, the patient's voluntary control over posture showed marked improvement between pre- and postphases of treatment; this was maintained at follow-up 8 weeks after treatment. Implications are raised for further research, in particular, the importance of assessing multiple aspects of posture and recording EMG from more than one site simultaneously.
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Ganos C, Edwards MJ, Bhatia KP. The Phenomenology of Functional (Psychogenic) Dystonia. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2014; 1:36-44. [PMID: 30363921 PMCID: PMC6183180 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
From the very first descriptions of dystonia, there has been a lack of agreement on the differentiation of organic from functional (psychogenic) dystonia. This lack of agreement has had a significant effect on patients over the years, most particularly in the lack of access to appropriate management, whether for those with organic dystonia diagnosed as having a functional cause or vice versa. However, clinico-genetic advances have led to greater certainty about the phenomenology of organic dystonia and therefore recognition of atypical forms. The diagnosis of functional dystonia rests on recognition of its phenomenology and should not be, as far as possible, a diagnosis of exclusion. Here, we present an overview of the phenomenology of functional dystonia, concentrating on the three main phenotypic presentations: functional cranial dystonia; functional fixed dystonia; and functional paroxysmal dystonia. We hope that this review of phenomenology will aid in the positive diagnosis of functional dystonia and, through this, will lead to more rapid access to appropriate management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Ganos
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement DisordersUCL Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- Department of Pediatric and Adult Movement Disorders and NeuropsychiatryInstitute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - Mark J. Edwards
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement DisordersUCL Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Kailash P. Bhatia
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement DisordersUCL Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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