| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 20
| Issue : 1 | Page : 35-37 |
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Improvement in writer's cramp with use of behaviour therapy: A study of three cases with six month follow-up
Jaspreet Kaur1, Archna Sharma2, Ajeet Sidana2
1 Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
2 Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
Correspondence Address:
Jaspreet Kaur
Room No: 1020, New OPD Block, Block B, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0971-8990.164822
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Writer's cramp (WC) is a focal dystonia causing impairments in daily life. The chief symptom is the inability to use the hand, or difficulty in using it, for writing or other occupational purposes. Behavioral treatment approaches have been shown to improve handwriting performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of behaviour therapy in WC. In the current study three cases of writer's cramp were treated with eclectic therapy which included relaxation technique, retraining and pharmacotherapy (anxiolytic drugs). The handwriting performance was examined before and after treatment. In all the three cases, the response to treatment was good, and the improvement was maintained at 6 months follow-up. The patients could write comfortably and legibly without tension in hand muscles after undergoing the intense therapy. Results suggest that patients with WC benefit from the use of behavior therapy combined with pharmacotherapy (anxiolytics). |
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