Article

Focal hand dystonia is a challenging movement disorder to rehabilitate in musicians and writers.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To compare the neuromusculoskeletal characteristics of
those with writers' cramp (WC) and musicians' cramp (MC),
and evaluate
responsiveness to learning-based sensorimotor training. METHODS: Twenty-seven
individuals (14 musicians, 13 writers) participated in 8 weeks of supervised
therapy supplemented with a home program. Between-group differences on measures
of musculoskeletal (physical), sensory, and motor performance were evaluated at
baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: Subjects with MC had a higher level of
functional independence and better range of motion, but less strength in the
affected upper limb than those of subjects with WC. Subjects with MC demonstrated
greater accuracy on graphesthesia, kinesthesia, and localization at baseline. No
between-group differences in motor performance were noted at baseline or
post-intervention. Following individually adapted learning-based sensorimotor
training, both groups improved in musculoskeletal (physical) parameters, sensory
processing, and motor control; however, improvements on certain subtests differed
by group. At follow-up, differences in posture, ROM, strength, graphesthesia, and
kinesthesia persisted between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with WC have
different physical and performance risk factors compared with those of subjects
with MC. Intervention paradigms are efficacious, but variable responses to rehabilitation occur.

Langue : ANGLAIS