Increased Incidence of Functional (Psychogenic) Movement Disorders in Children and Adults Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMDs) are conditions in which affected patients develop abnormal movements that are incongruous with known, organic, movement disorders, often associated with psychological stressors.

Methods: In this case series, electronic medical records of all patients who presented to our adult and pediatric tertiary care movement disorders clinics between March 1 and October 30, 2020, and during the same period in 2019 were reviewed. All patients diagnosed with functional (psychogenic) movement disorder were included if they satisfied diagnostic criteria.

Results: Among 550 new patients referred for evaluation at our tertiary care movement disorders centers, 45 (8.2%) received a diagnosis of FMD; 75.6% were female, in comparison to the prior year during which time 665 new patients were evaluated and 5.1% were diagnosed with FMD. This represents a 60.1% increase (90.1% in pediatric cohort, 50.9% in adult cohort) in new patients diagnosed with FMD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions: Within our patient population, there has been increased incidence of FMDs in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly reflecting increased psychological and other stressors during this period.

Figure 1. Total Number of New Patients Presenting to Movement Disorders Clinics (March 1 to October 30) in 2019 vs 2020 Diagnosed With FMD (Functional Movement Disorders)

* p = 0.029 when comparing total number of new patients diagnosed with FMD in 2020 vs 2019.

Figure 2. Preexisting Psychiatric Diagnoses of Patients Presenting With Functional Movement Disorder (FMD) to Movement Disorders Clinics (March 1–October 30, 2020)