Auditory grip force feedback in the treatment of Writer's cramp.
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.
Baur
Barbara
B
Clinical Neuropsychology Research Group (EKN), Klinikum München-Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany. barbara.baur@extern.lrz-muechen.de
Fürholzer
Waltraud
W
Marquardt
Christian
C
Hermsdörfer
Joachim
J
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