Auditory grip force feedback in the treatment of Writer's cramp.

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.