Strategies for treatment of dystonia

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2016 Mar;123(3):251-8. doi: 10.1007/s00702-015-1453-x. Epub 2015 Sep 14.

Abstract

Treatment of dystonias is generally symptomatic. To produce sufficient therapy effects, therefore, frequently a multimodal and interdisciplinary therapeutic approach becomes necessary, combining botulinum toxin therapy, deep brain stimulation, oral antidystonic drugs, adjuvant drugs and rehabilitation therapy including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, re-training, speech therapy, psychotherapy and sociotherapy. This review presents the recommendations of the IAB-Interdisciplinary Working Group for Movement Disorders Special Task Force on Interdisciplinary Treatment of Dystonia. It reviews the different therapeutic modalities and outlines a strategy to adapt them to the dystonia localisation and severity of the individual patient. Hints to emerging and future therapies will be given.

Keywords: Antidystonic drugs; Botulinum toxin; Deep brain stimulation; Dystonia; Interdisciplinary approach; Multimodal therapies; Rehabilitation therapy; Treatment strategies.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Dystonic Disorders / therapy*
  • Humans