A therapy-led, multidisciplinary programme for treatment-resistant functional fixed dystonia

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 13; no. 7; p. e235213
• Main Authors: Hsieh, Yvonne, Deshpande, Shaunak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 20-07-2020; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Case report
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle; Behavior Therapy - methods; Blood tests; Case reports; Dystonia; Dystonia - rehabilitation; Dystonic Disorders - rehabilitation; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Innovations in Treatment; Neurological disorders; Pain; Patients; Physical therapy; Psychologists; Psychotherapy; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Somatoform Disorders - rehabilitation; Treatment Outcome; movement disorders (other than parkinsons); cognitive behavioural psychotherapy; somatoform disorders; physiotherapy (rehabilitation)
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-235213

Functional neurological disorder (FND) describes various neurological symptoms that are not explained by an organic aetiology. The condition has a poor prognosis. Despite this, there is sparse research that informs clinical interventions for FND, particularly when treating functional fixed dystonia. Our article has outlined an intervention for a patient with a treatment-resistant functional fixed dystonia that was informed by a biopsychosocial model, which aimed to rehabilitate the patient’s functional motor symptoms. This led to favourable outcomes including restoring full range of movement in the patient’s right foot and improvements in routine outcome measurement scores. The patient also described the programme as life-changing and was able to re-engage in meaningful and purposeful activities.