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- Title
Evaluation of therapy in focal hand dystonia (writer's cramp) -- a case study.
- Authors
Mirek, Elżbieta; Legwand, Agnieszka; Rudzińska, Monika
- Abstract
Background: Focal hand dystonia is a movement disorder that manifests itself as uncontrollable, repeatable postures assumed by the affected hand while performing a specific task. Specifically, writer's cramp is characterised by involuntary muscle contractions in the hand, wrist and elbow, which can result in an excessive force or in the extension of one or more fingers while holding a pen. Thus, writer's cramp prevents a person from undertaking constant, long-term writing by hand. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-week therapy in patients with focal hand dystonia (writer's cramp). Methods: One woman aged 33 underwent a 4-week course of therapy. Before the first, and after the last session, the patient was evaluated with objective diagnostic methods and functional tests of the upper extremities. Results: a slight improvement in hand functioning while handwriting was noted following the therapy. Conclusions: Introducing new methods in therapy, extending the experimental group, and creating scales that are specific for writer's cramp may help to establish an effective treatment.
- Subjects
FOCAL dystonia; MUSCLE cramps; PHYSIOLOGICAL therapeutics; PHYSICAL therapy; WOMEN'S injuries
- Publication
Medical Rehabilitation / Rehabilitacja Medyczna, 2015, Vol 19, Issue 2, p16
- ISSN
1427-9622
- Publication type
Case Study