Focal dystonia in musicians: treatment strategies and long-term outcome in 144 patients

Mov Disord. 2005 Dec;20(12):1623-6. doi: 10.1002/mds.20631.

Abstract

We present the long-term outcome of 144 musicians with focal dystonia after treatment with botulinum toxin (n = 71), trihexiphenidyl (n = 69), pedagogical retraining (n = 24), ergonomic changes (n = 51), or nonspecific exercises on the instrument (n = 78). Outcome was assessed by patients' subjective rating of cumulative treatment response and response to individual therapies. Seventy-seven patients (54%) reported an alleviation of symptoms: 33% of the patients with trihexiphenidyl, 49% with botulinum toxin, 50% with pedagogical retraining, 56% with unmonitored technical exercises, and 63% with ergonomic changes.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Botulinum Toxins / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Dystonic Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Dystonic Disorders / therapy*
  • Exercise Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Music*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome*

Substances

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins