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Psychogenic movement disorders in children and adolescents: an update

  • Short Communication
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Abstract

This short communication provides an update on childhood psychogenic movement disorders (PMD), focusing on descriptive studies and case reports from 2008 to 2018. Known also as functional movement/motor disorders, PMD diagnoses are relatively common in adults but less so in children. In group studies over the past decade, sample prevalence of childhood PMD ranged from 2.8 to 23.1%, with a higher percentage of girls in most studies (consistent with adult PMD literature). Common types of PMD included tremor (32.4%), dystonia (29.5%), and myoclonus (24.3%). Precipitating events for PMD onset included H1N1 influenza vaccinations, family/child stressors, anxiety/depression in the child or parent, panic attacks, behavior disorders, injury or accident, sexual abuse of the child or family member, death of a close relative, parental discord, domestic violence, school-related problems, medical illness/surgery, sleep disturbance, and participation in competitive sport or dance. The most frequently mentioned treatments were cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, and physiotherapy.

Conclusion: Although additional cases of childhood PMD have been published over the past decade, little new information has appeared. There is still no “diagnostic gold standard,” making an accurate estimate of prevalence virtually impossible and contributing to confusion among pediatricians when trying to identify children with PMD.

What is Known:

• Psychogenic movement disorders (PMD) occur in children as well as adults.

• The most common types of childhood PMD are tremor, dystonia, and myoclonus.

What is New:

• The most common childhood PMD treatments were cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, and relaxation techniques (2008–2018).

• Due to lack of a standardized definition for PMD, confusion exists as to which movement disorders to include. With the inability to reliably diagnose PMD and the ambiguity as to which movement disorders it comprises, it is difficult to determine the most effective treatments.

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Abbreviations

CBT:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

DSM-5:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition

NIMHN:

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

PMD:

Psychogenic movement disorder

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 212 – 2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada

    Susan R. Harris

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  1. Susan R. Harris
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Correspondence to Susan R. Harris.

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Communicated by Mario Bianchetti

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Harris, S.R. Psychogenic movement disorders in children and adolescents: an update. Eur J Pediatr 178, 581–585 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-019-03317-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-019-03317-8

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