writer's cramp; mogigraphia; hand dystonia; Scrivener's palsy

Introduction

task-specific (writing) focal dystonia of the hand

Management

• ~5% of patients have spontaneous remission, generally in the first 5 years
  • the majority of these patients have relapses
• treatment is generally disappointing
• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivered to the forearm flexor muscles for a 2-week period may be helpful
• behavioral changes may help
• biofeedback, hypnotherapy, & relaxation therapy may be useful
• thalamotomy & thalamic deep brain stimulation for severe cases has been successful

More general terms

• dystonia
• repetitive strain disorder