Motion analysis in cervical dystonia.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate kinematic features in cervical dystonia (CD) patients by means of a motion analysis system (Fastrack-Polhemus, Colchester VT, USA).

DESIGN

Small study sample.

SETTING

Ambulatory care.

PATIENTS AND

PARTICIPANTS

15 CD patients and 10 healthy subjects.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MEASUREMENTS AND

RESULTS

Posture at rest and voluntary movements in both groups. Posture at rest in CD patients was impaired in all planes; only 20% of the patients exhibited complex dystonic patterns at clinical evaluation, whereas more than 90% of them had complex ones at kinematic evaluation. The analysis of voluntary motion revealed a reduced range of voluntary excursion and increased execution time; the impairment was higher when the patients moved their heads towards the anti-dystonic side.

CONCLUSIONS

Fastrack system is a sensitive tool in kinematic evaluation of CD, as it provides useful quantitative information on rest position and on motion in CD patients and may consequently improve the management of this disease.