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Is focal hand dystonia associated with psychopathology?
Author(s) -
Grafman Jordan,
Cohen Leonardo G.,
Hallett Mark
Publication year - 1991
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.870060106
Subject(s) - dystonia , psychopathology , focal dystonia , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychology , psychiatry
The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with focal hand dystonia have any significant psychopathology. We studied 20 patients with hand cramps who were participating in a therapeutic trial of botulinum toxin injectins. Patients were interviewed and administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Scale, a finger tapping test, and a choice serial reaction time test. Behavioral ratings were also obtained. Group statistics indicated that all personality scale scores and performances on motor tasks were within normal limits. Four out of 20 patients demonstrated mild depression. Trait anxiety scores were higher than state anxiety scores, suggesting that receiving medical treatment had a beneficial effect on mood. The number of depressive symptoms endorsed on the MMPI was correlated with reaction time speed but not finger dexterity. None of the 20 patients reported a remarkable psychiatric history. These results indicate that hand cramps are not associated with serious psychopathology.