Objective: Functional movement disorders (FMDs) are increasingly recognized, often linked to anxiety, depression, and other psychological factors [2, 3]. This study aims to describe the demographic and clinical features of patients diagnosed with FMDs at the Movement Disorders Center, Shashkin Clinic, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Background: Functional movement disorders (FMDs) are a subtype of functional neurological disorders characterized by abnormal involuntary movements that are incongruent with known neurological diseases. They represent a growing challenge in clinical neurology due to their diagnostic complexity and high prevalence. While large-scale studies exist in Western populations, data from Central Asia remain limited.
Method: A retrospective review of outpatient records from 2019–2024 was performed. Included were patients diagnosed with FMDs—tremor, dystonia, parkinsonism, gait abnormalities, tics, or facial hyperkinesias. Diagnoses were made clinically by a movement disorder specialist without EMG. Data on age, sex, symptom onset, and phenotype were collected
Results: The cohort included 35 adults (22 females, 13 males; age 18–85). Most frequent symptoms were functional tremor (34.3%) and dystonia (28.6%), followed by gait disturbances (14.3%) and parkinsonian features (11.4%). Mixed symptoms were seen in 8.6%, and rare cases like tics or facial hyperkinesias in 2.8%. Symptom duration varied widely. Female predominance aligns with a meta-analysis of 4,905 cases [1], and our findings reflect established clinical patterns [2, 3].
Conclusion: FMDs present a wide range of symptoms mimicking organic conditions, posing diagnostic challenges. Early recognition and multidisciplinary care are crucial for management.
References: 1. Gelauff JM, Stone J. Prognosis of functional neurological disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2022;182:263–276.
2. Espay AJ et al. Current Concepts in Diagnosis and Treatment of FND. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(9):1132–1141.
3. Edwards MJ, Bhatia KP. Functional movement disorders: merging mind and brain. Lancet Neurol. 2012;11(3):250–260.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
G. Saidakhmetova, ZH. Myrzayev. Clinical Features of Patients with Functional Movement Disorders: Experience of a Movement Disorders Center in Kazakhstan [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/clinical-features-of-patients-with-functional-movement-disorders-experience-of-a-movement-disorders-center-in-kazakhstan/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/clinical-features-of-patients-with-functional-movement-disorders-experience-of-a-movement-disorders-center-in-kazakhstan/