Auditory Grip Force Feedback in the Treatment of Writer's Cramp
published online 02 February 2009.
Abstract
Study Design
Pre-post, single-group.
Introduction
Writer's cramp (WC) is a focal dystonia causing impairments in daily life. Behavioral treatment approaches have been shown to improve handwriting performance, though outcomes remain sub-optimal.
Purpose of the Study
To examine the effects of the handwriting training and auditory grip force feedback in seven patients with WC.
Methods
Handwriting performance was examined before and after treatment. Writing frequency, fluency, and pressure were recorded with a digitizing tablet and grip forces during handwriting were recorded. Subjective writing performance and pain were rated on visual analog scales.
Results
The treatment resulted in significant reductions in writing pressure and pain, while writing performance was significantly improved.
Conclusions
Patients in this study with WC, who exhibit grip force and pressure problems, benefit from feedback-supported handwriting training.
Level of Evidence
4.
Clinical Neuropsychology Research Group (EKN), Klinikum München-Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany
Correspondence and reprint requests to Barbara Baur, PhD, Entwicklungsgruppe Klinische Neuropsychologie, Klinikum München-Bogenhausen, Dachauerstrasse 164, 80992 München, Germany
This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG (HE 3592).
ABSTRACT