Objective: We developed an ad hoc questionnaire detailing sensory trick information, in order to classify the most used tricks, their frequency and their efficacy to temporarily relieve dystonia in a sample of patients with cervical dystonia (CD).

Background: The sensory trick is a voluntary manoeuvre that temporarily improves dystonic postures and movements. Although self-induced application of sensory stimuli is the most common and effective category of sensory trick, clinical experience suggests that the phenomenon is more diverse, to include purely motor and cognitive tricks. However, there are no systematic instruments to evaluate type and frequency of sensory trick in idiopathic dystonia.

Method: CD patients were included in the study if they fulfilled following criteria: diagnosis of adult-onset idiopathic CD according to standard criteria, age >18 years, time elapsing from the previous botulinum toxin injection 3 months or more. We collected patients’ demographic and clinical features. Severity of CD was assessed with Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS). The questionnaire screened for different types of sensory tricks (sensorimotor, purely motor, purely sensory or cognitive), selected through consultation within a panel of experts and literature review. Patients were asked to describe, for each of them, the frequency of use and the relief induced by the sensory trick on a 0-10 visual analogue scale.

Results: During this preliminary study, a total of 50 patients met eligibility criteria (35 females, 63.1±12.7 years). Mean disease duration was 15.4 years, with a mean TWSTRS scoring of 22. Thirty-eight (76%) of them reported to frequently use sensory tricks. Thirty-five out of 38 patients (92%) reported to use sensory tricks more than once in a day. On the visual analogue scale the mean relief reported from sensory tricks was of 7.2 out of 10. Most participants reported similar actions as resting chin on hand and pushing back of the head.

Conclusion: Sensory trick is a relevant clinical characteristic in CD and can be assessed by the use of a specific questionnaire.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/development-of-a-questionnaire-to-assess-sensory-trick-in-patients-with-dystonia/