MOVEMENT DISORDERS-DEFINITIONS

SUMMARY

PREDOMINANTLY INVOLVE THE EXTRAPYRAMIDAL TRACT
1. Chorea: from the Greek word “to dance”; brief, rapid, forceful & dysrhythmic flinging of the limbs.

2. Athetosis: slow, writhing, involuntary movements and inability to maintain the position of a limb. Similar to dystonia but less sustained.

3. Hemiballismus: ballistic, involuntary movements on one side of the body (contralateral to the lesion), mainly of the arm.

4. Tics: sustained, non-rhythmic muscle contractions that are rapid and stereotyped.

5. Akathisia: motor restlessness accompanied by a sensation of unpleasant inner tension or anxiety. Causes: 20%-40% by anti-psychotics, dopamine blockade.

6. Ataxia: defined as incoordination of muscle movement that is not due to paresis, alteration in tone, loss of postural sense, or the presence of involuntary movements. Types: sensory, vestibular, cerebellar.

7. Tremors: rhythmic, oscillatory movements. Types: rest, essential, intention.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.