Writer's cramp: Difference between revisions
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'''Writer's cramp''', also called '''mogigraphia''', causes a [[cramp]] or [[spasm]] affecting certain muscles of the hand and/or fingers. Writer's cramp is a ''task-specific [[focal dystonia]] of the hand'' <ref>Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (electronic resource) [http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/writer_s_cramp/53.php]</ref>. 'Focal' refers to the symptoms being limited to one location (the hand in this case), and 'task-specific' means that symptoms first occur only when the individual engages in a particular activity. Writer's cramp |
'''Writer's cramp''', also called '''mogigraphia''', causes a [[cramp]] or [[spasm]] affecting certain muscles of the hand and/or fingers. Writer's cramp is a ''task-specific [[focal dystonia]] of the hand'' <ref>Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (electronic resource) [http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/writer_s_cramp/53.php]</ref>. 'Focal' refers to the symptoms being limited to one location (the hand in this case), and 'task-specific' means that symptoms first occur only when the individual engages in a particular activity. Writer's cramp first affects an individual by inhibiting their ability to write.<ref>Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (electronic resource) [http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/glossary/99.php#focal]</ref> |
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==Causes== |
==Causes== |
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Revision as of 04:28, 15 February 2008
Writer's cramp, also called mogigraphia, causes a cramp or spasm affecting certain muscles of the hand and/or fingers. Writer's cramp is a task-specific focal dystonia of the hand [1]. 'Focal' refers to the symptoms being limited to one location (the hand in this case), and 'task-specific' means that symptoms first occur only when the individual engages in a particular activity. Writer's cramp first affects an individual by inhibiting their ability to write.[2]
Causes
Although the etiology of writer's cramp is not well known, it was historically believed to be the result of excessive fine motor activity, possibly complicated by a tense or otherwise inappropriate writing technique.[3] More recently, Rosenkranz et al. have suggested that this is not necessarily the case.[4] Musician's cramp (a similar focal dystonia which affects some 1% of instrumentalists[5]) has historically been grouped together with writer's cramp because of this and their common task-specificity. Rosenkranz et al. have more recently identified significant differences between the two populations, however.[6] No matter exactly how it arises, researchers generally agree that these types of focal dystonia are the result of a basal ganglia and/or sensorimotor cortex malfunction in the brain.
Treatment
Although dystonias may be induced by chemical exposure/injestion, brain injury, or hereditary/genetic predisposition, the task-specific focal dystonias such as writer's cramp are a unique challenge to diagnose and treat. Some cases may respond to chemical injections - botulinum toxin (botox) is often cited, though it is not helpful in all cases.[7] Behavioral retraining attempts may include changing technique, switching hands, physical therapy, biofeedback, constraint-induced motion therapy, and others. None of these are effective in all cases, however.
See also
References
- ^ Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (electronic resource) [1]
- ^ Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (electronic resource) [2]
- ^ Sataloff, Robert Thayer, Alice G. Brandfonbrener, and Richard J. Lederman, eds. 'Textbook of Performing Arts Medicine'. New York: Raven Press, 1991. (p. 197)
- ^ Karin Rosenkranz, Aaron Williamon, et al. “Pathophysiological difference between musician’s dystonia and writer’s cramp.” Brain 128 (2005): 918-931.
- ^ Hans-Christian Jabusch and Eckart Altenmuller. “Epidemiology, phenomenology, and therapy of musician's cramp” in Music, Motor Control, and the Brain. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2006: 265-282.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ A. J. Lees, N. Turjanski, et. al. “Treatment of cervical dystonia hand spasms and laryngeal dystonia with botulinum toxin.” Journal of Neurology 239 (1992): 1-4.