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Impaired force control in writer's cramp showing a bilateral deficit in sensorimotor integration
Author(s) -
Bleton JeanPierre,
Teremetz Maxime,
Vidailhet Marie,
Mesure Serge,
Maier Marc A.,
Lindberg Påvel G.
Publication year - 2014
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.25690
Subject(s) - somatosensory system , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , task (project management) , hand strength , medicine , audiology , neuroscience , grip strength , physical therapy , management , economics
Background Abnormal cortical processing of sensory inputs has been found bilaterally in writer's cramp (WC). This study tested the hypothesis that patients with WC have an impaired ability to adjust grip forces according to visual and somatosensory cues in both hands. Methods A unimanual visuomotor force‐tracking task and a bimanual sense of effort force‐matching task were performed by WC patients and healthy controls. Results In visuomotor tracking, WC patients showed increased error, greater variability, and longer release duration than controls. In the force‐matching task, patients underestimated, whereas controls overestimated, the force applied in the other hand. Visuomotor tracking and force matching were equally impaired in both the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic hand in WC patients. Conclusions This study provides evidence of bilaterally impaired grip‐force control in WC, when using visual or sense of effort cues. This suggests a generalized subclinical deficit in sensorimotor integration in WC. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society