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. 2022 Jul 7;9(6):759-764.
doi: 10.1002/mdc3.13505. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Geste Antagoniste Effects on Motor Performance in Dystonia-A Kinematic Study

Rachel Newby  1   2   3   4 , Siti Muhamed  5   6 , Jane Alty  2   3   7 , Jeremy Cosgrove  2 , Stuart Jamieson  2   3 , Stephen Smith  5 , Peter Kempster  1   8
Affiliations

Geste Antagoniste Effects on Motor Performance in Dystonia-A Kinematic Study

Rachel Newby et al. Mov Disord Clin Pract. .

Abstract

Background: The kinematic effects of gestes have not previously been studied. The mechanism(s) by which these sensory tricks modify dystonic movement is not well understood.

Objectives: A kinematic investigation of the geste phenomenon in patients with dystonia.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with dystonia associated with a geste were studied. Twenty-nine healthy controls also participated. Fifteen seconds of finger tapping was recorded by electromagnetic sensors, and the task was repeated with geste. Separable motor components were extracted using a custom-written MATLAB script. Performance with and without geste was compared using Wilcoxon signed ranks testing.

Results: Speed and fluency of finger tapping is impaired in dystonia. When patients executed their geste, speed of movement (amplitude × frequency) increased (P < 0.0001), and halts decreased (P = 0.007).

Conclusions: That gestes improve not only dystonic muscle contraction but also the efficiency of voluntary movement suggests a broad influence at the premotor control stage.

Keywords: dystonia; movement disorders; neurophysiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Newby's salary was funded by the Monash Institute of Neurological Diseases. No conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Boxplots for overall speed (amplitude × frequency) and halting tendency. Brackets and asterisks indicate statistically significant comparisons. Box = interquartile range (IQR); whiskers = highest and lowest values within 1.5 × IQR; band inside box = median. Outliers are denoted by triangles (>3 times IQR) and circles (1.5–3 times IQR).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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