title: Auditory grip force feedback in the treatment of Writer's cramp.
abstract: METHODS
  Pre-post, single-group.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuropsychology Research Group (EKN), Klinikum München-Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany. barbara.baur@extern.lrz-muechen.de
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baur
authors.forename: Waltraud
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fürholzer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marquardt
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hermsdörfer
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis