Sensory Training to Treat Focal Dystonia

NCT00006336 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 00022700-N-0227
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will examine the effectiveness of Braille reading as a sensory training program for improving symptoms of focal (localized) dystonia, a movement disorder caused by sustained muscle contractions. Musicians, writers, typists, athletes and others whose work involves frequent repetitive movements may develop focal dystonia of the hand. Dystonia patients have an impaired sense of touch, and it is thought that symptoms may improve with sensory tactile (touch) training. Patients with task-specific dystonia and healthy normal volunteers may be eligible for this 8-week study. Patients will undergo evaluation of their dystonia and a complete neurologic examination. Healthy volunteers will have a complete physical examination. On the first day of the study, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks, all participants will have a gap detection test for sensory perception testing. The test uses eight plastic devices called JVP-Domes with ridges of different widths on the surface. The subject's arm and hand are held in palm-up position and the right index finger is tested for about 1 second 20 times with each dome. The subject is asked to report whether the direction of the dome is vertical or horizontal. The test takes about 30 minutes. Patients with dystonia will also have a their symptoms evaluated at these visits. The evaluation involves completing a written questionnaire and writing a paragraph. All participants will be trained in Braille reading at NIH. Sessions will be given every day the first week, twice a week the second and third weeks, and once a week the following weeks.

Conditions

Dystonic Disorder

Keywords

Gap Detection Test; Fahn-Scale; Visual Analog and Verbal Scale; Writing Standard Paragraph; Braille Reading Grade I

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Patients with idiopathic task specific dystonia and healthy normal volunteers. Patients must not be receiving botulinum-toxin treatment or other medications for the past three months prior to entering the study. Patients must be able to keep their hand in a pronated 'reading' position for one hour.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Byl N, Wilson F, Merzenich M, Melnick M, Scott P, Oakes A, McKenzie A. Sensory dysfunction associated with repetitive strain injuries of tendinitis and focal hand dystonia: a comparative study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996 Apr;23(4):234-44. doi: 10.2519/jospt.1996.23.4.234.

  PMID: 8775368 BACKGROUND

• Bara-Jimenez W, Shelton P, Sanger TD, Hallett M. Sensory discrimination capabilities in patients with focal hand dystonia. Ann Neurol. 2000 Mar;47(3):377-80.

  PMID: 10716260 BACKGROUND

• Bara-Jimenez W, Catalan MJ, Hallett M, Gerloff C. Abnormal somatosensory homunculus in dystonia of the hand. Ann Neurol. 1998 Nov;44(5):828-31. doi: 10.1002/ana.410440520.

  PMID: 9818942 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dystonic Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Movement Disorders; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 4, 2000
• First Posted: October 5, 2000
• Study Start: September 1, 2000
• Study Completion: November 1, 2001
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2001-11

Locations

US (1)