Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative assessment of pure dystonia in a group of children. Kinematic and muscular characteristics of unconstrained movements of the upper limb, reaching and writing, were investigated. During reaching, the distinguishing factors of dystonic movement were reduced velocity, loss of muscular activation focalization, and impairment of rest-movement modulation. Muscular parameters were able to linearly discriminate the different levels of severity. These results support the hypothesis that basal ganglia dysfunction is responsible for compromising the motor activity focusing. The handwriting movement revealed that the kinematic coordination was altered depending on dystonia severity scores. The 2 protocols revealed themselves feasible and sensitive for detecting even local and subclinical signs. Hence, this work provides a contribution toward a reliable assessment of pure dystonia, crucial for clinical characterization of patients and evaluation of the different treatment options.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 822-829 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Child Neurology |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2011 |
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Keywords
- dystonia
- movement protocols
- muscular and kinematics patterns
- reaching
- writing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Cite this
Reaching and writing movements : Sensitive and reliable tools to measure genetic dystonia in children. / Casellato, Claudia; Zorzi, Giovanna; Pedrocchi, Alessandra; Ferrigno, Giancarlo; Nardocci, Nardo.
In: Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 26, No. 7, 07.2011, p. 822-829.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Reaching and writing movements
T2 - Sensitive and reliable tools to measure genetic dystonia in children
AU - Casellato, Claudia
AU - Zorzi, Giovanna
AU - Pedrocchi, Alessandra
AU - Ferrigno, Giancarlo
AU - Nardocci, Nardo
PY - 2011/7
Y1 - 2011/7
N2 - The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative assessment of pure dystonia in a group of children. Kinematic and muscular characteristics of unconstrained movements of the upper limb, reaching and writing, were investigated. During reaching, the distinguishing factors of dystonic movement were reduced velocity, loss of muscular activation focalization, and impairment of rest-movement modulation. Muscular parameters were able to linearly discriminate the different levels of severity. These results support the hypothesis that basal ganglia dysfunction is responsible for compromising the motor activity focusing. The handwriting movement revealed that the kinematic coordination was altered depending on dystonia severity scores. The 2 protocols revealed themselves feasible and sensitive for detecting even local and subclinical signs. Hence, this work provides a contribution toward a reliable assessment of pure dystonia, crucial for clinical characterization of patients and evaluation of the different treatment options.
AB - The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative assessment of pure dystonia in a group of children. Kinematic and muscular characteristics of unconstrained movements of the upper limb, reaching and writing, were investigated. During reaching, the distinguishing factors of dystonic movement were reduced velocity, loss of muscular activation focalization, and impairment of rest-movement modulation. Muscular parameters were able to linearly discriminate the different levels of severity. These results support the hypothesis that basal ganglia dysfunction is responsible for compromising the motor activity focusing. The handwriting movement revealed that the kinematic coordination was altered depending on dystonia severity scores. The 2 protocols revealed themselves feasible and sensitive for detecting even local and subclinical signs. Hence, this work provides a contribution toward a reliable assessment of pure dystonia, crucial for clinical characterization of patients and evaluation of the different treatment options.
KW - dystonia
KW - movement protocols
KW - muscular and kinematics patterns
KW - reaching
KW - writing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79959725159&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79959725159&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0883073810392997
DO - 10.1177/0883073810392997
M3 - Article
C2 - 21421904
AN - SCOPUS:79959725159
VL - 26
SP - 822
EP - 829
JO - Journal of Child Neurology
JF - Journal of Child Neurology
SN - 0883-0738
IS - 7
ER -