Dataset Information

Involuntary Thumb Flexion on Neurological Examination: An Unusual Form of Upper Limb Dystonia in the Faroe Islands.

ABSTRACT: Background:The prevalence of dystonia varies worldwide. A prior report suggested a high prevalence of focal dystonia in the Faroese population, possibly reflecting a founder effect. During standardized neurological examination as part of an ongoing neuroepidemiologic study in the Faroe Islands, we noted an unusual phenomenon of thumb flexion during repetitive hand movements in a subset of subjects and sought to define its phenomenology. Methods:We requested commentary from a panel of dystonia experts regarding the phenomenology of the movements. These experts reviewed the videotaped neurological examination. Results:Among the experts, dystonia was the leading diagnosis. Alternate causes were considered, but deemed less likely. Discussion:Diagnosis of dystonia requires careful clinical assessment and consideration of associated features. We report a novel form of dystonia, not previously described to our knowledge, in this isolated population. Further studies of dystonia prevalence in the Faroe Islands are merited to characterize its burden in this population and its specific clinical characteristics.

SUBMITTER: Kim CY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6702791 | biostudies-other | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Involuntary Thumb Flexion on Neurological Examination: An Unusual Form of Upper Limb Dystonia in the Faroe Islands.

Kim Christine Y CY Petersen Maria Skaalum MS Eliasen Eina H EH Defazio Giovanni G Greene Paul P Jinnah Hyder A HA Tijssen Marina A J MAJ Louis Elan D ED

Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements (New York, N.Y.) 20190820

<h4>Background</h4>The prevalence of dystonia varies worldwide. A prior report suggested a high prevalence of focal dystonia in the Faroese population, possibly reflecting a founder effect. During standardized neurological examination as part of an ongoing neuroepidemiologic study in the Faroe Islands, we noted an unusual phenomenon of thumb flexion during repetitive hand movements in a subset of subjects and sought to define its phenomenology.<h4>Methods</h4>We requested commentary from a panel ...[more]

PMID: 31440418

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Project description:BackgroundThe use of wearable sensor technology (e.g., accelerometers) for tracking human physical activity have allowed for measurement of actual activity performance of the upper limb (UL) in daily life. Data extracted from accelerometers can be used to quantify multiple variables measuring different aspects of UL performance in one or both limbs. A limitation is that several variables are needed to understand the complexity of UL performance in daily life.PurposeTo identify categories of UL performance in daily life in adults with and without neurological UL deficits.MethodsThis study analyzed data extracted from bimanual, wrist-worn triaxial accelerometers from adults from three previous cohorts (N=211), two samples of persons with stroke and one sample from neurologically intact adult controls. Data used in these analyses were UL performance variables calculated from accelerometer data, associated clinical measures, and participant characteristics. A total of twelve cluster solutions (3-, 4- or 5-clusters based with 12, 9, 7, or 5 input variables) were calculated to systematically evaluate the most parsimonious solution. Quality metrics and principal component analysis of each solution were calculated to arrive at a locally-optimal solution with respect to number of input variables and number of clusters.ResultsAcross different numbers of input variables, two principal components consistently explained the most variance. Across the models with differing numbers of UL input performance variables, a 5-cluster solution explained the most overall total variance (79%) and had the best model-fit.ConclusionThe present study identified 5 categories of UL performance formed from 5 UL performance variables in cohorts with and without neurological UL deficits. Further validation of both the number of UL performance variables and categories will be required on a larger, more heterogeneous sample. Following validation, these categories may be used as outcomes in UL stroke research and implemented into rehabilitation clinical practice.

Dataset Information

Involuntary Thumb Flexion on Neurological Examination: An Unusual Form of Upper Limb Dystonia in the Faroe Islands.

Publications

Involuntary Thumb Flexion on Neurological Examination: An Unusual Form of Upper Limb Dystonia in the Faroe Islands.

Similar Datasets

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