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Definition and classification of hyperkinetic movements in childhood
Author(s) -
Sanger Terence D.,
Chen Daofen,
Fehlings Darcy L.,
Hallett Mark,
Lang Anthony E.,
Mink Jonathan W.,
Singer Harvey S.,
Alter Katharine,
BenPazi Hilla,
Butler Erin E.,
Chen Robert,
Collins Abigail,
Dayanidhi Sudarshan,
Forssberg Hans,
Fowler Eileen,
Gilbert Donald L.,
Gorman Sharon L.,
Gormley Mark E.,
Jinnah H. A.,
Kornblau Barbara,
Krosschell Kristin J.,
Lehman Rebecca K.,
MacKin Colum,
Malanga C. J.,
Mesterman Ronit,
Michaels Margaret Barry,
Pearson Toni S.,
Rose Jessica,
Russman Barry S.,
Sternad Dagmar,
Swoboda Kathy J.,
ValeroCuevas Francisco
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.23088
Subject(s) - athetosis , tics , chorea , dystonia , movement disorders , physical medicine and rehabilitation , myoclonus , psychology , neuroscience , medicine , disease , pathology
Abstract Hyperkinetic movements are unwanted or excess movements that are frequently seen in children with neurologic disorders. They are an important clinical finding with significant implications for diagnosis and treatment. However, the lack of agreement on standard terminology and definitions interferes with clinical treatment and research. We describe definitions of dystonia, chorea, athetosis, myoclonus, tremor, tics, and stereotypies that arose from a consensus meeting in June 2008 of specialists from different clinical and basic science fields. Dystonia is a movement disorder in which involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements, abnormal postures, or both. Chorea is an ongoing random‐appearing sequence of one or more discrete involuntary movements or movement fragments. Athetosis is a slow, continuous, involuntary writhing movement that prevents maintenance of a stable posture. Myoclonus is a sequence of repeated, often nonrhythmic, brief shock‐like jerks due to sudden involuntary contraction or relaxation of one or more muscles. Tremor is a rhythmic back‐and‐forth or oscillating involuntary movement about a joint axis. Tics are repeated, individually recognizable, intermittent movements or movement fragments that are almost always briefly suppressible and are usually associated with awareness of an urge to perform the movement. Stereotypies are repetitive, simple movements that can be voluntarily suppressed. We provide recommended techniques for clinical examination and suggestions for differentiating between the different types of hyperkinetic movements, noting that there may be overlap between conditions. These definitions and the diagnostic recommendations are intended to be reliable and useful for clinical practice, communication between clinicians and researchers, and for the design of quantitative tests that will guide and assess the outcome of future clinical trials. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society