The impact of non-motor symptoms on the health-related quality of life in patients with functional movement disorders

Functional neurological disorder and related conditions in healthcare provider education: A scoping review of teaching strategies and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Limited awareness of functional neurological disorder (FND) and related conditions among healthcare providers is hindering early diagnosis and treatment. Enhancing knowledge of FND across medical curricula and in healthcare settings is vital for improving patient outcomes, yet few reports describe the implementation or impact of FND-related educational programmes.

METHODS

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, EMBASE, MEDLINE Ovid, PsycINFO, CINAHL Ultimate, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 13 March 2024. The search term strategy included FND and related conditions combined with education for students and healthcare providers. Retrospective bibliography and grey literature searches were also conducted. Eligibility was guided using a PCC framework. Data were quantified by performing frequency counts, and a basic inductive qualitative content analysis identified facilitators and barriers to FND education. The Kirkpatrick model for evaluating training was used to stratify training outcomes.

RESULTS

Following conduct of the search strategy, 3334 abstracts were identified. Twenty-two reports were included following the database search and two reports were identified via a retrospective bibliography search. Inter-rater reliability for title/abstract and full-text screening was Cohen's Kappa = 0.693 and 0.799, respectively. The reported training strategies were predominantly didactic lectures. Simulated doctor-patient role-play was frequently cited as a teaching strategy and qualitative analysis indicated that trainee participants place value on this approach. Training programmes were predominantly evaluated by recording participant reactions, engagement, and changes in knowledge and attitude towards the disorder and its treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review offers the first comprehensive overview of educational strategies for FND and related conditions. The review highlights a lack of focused educational programmes and provides data to guide future pedagogical research.

The impact of motor and non-motor symptoms fluctuations on health-related quality of life in people with functional motor disorder

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of overall, between- and within-day subjectively rated fluctuations in motor and non-motor symptoms in people with functional motor disorder (FMD) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

BACKGROUND

FMD is a complex condition characterized by fluctuating motor and non-motor symptoms that may negatively impact HRQoL.

METHODS

Seventy-seven patients (54 females, mean age 45.4 ± 10.4 years) with a clinically established diagnosis of FMD, including weakness, completed symptom diaries, rating the severity of motor and non-motor symptoms (i.e., pain, fatigue, mood, cognitive difficulties) on a 10-point numerical scale three times daily for seven consecutive days. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. For the analysis, fluctuation magnitude was defined in terms of the variability in self-reported symptom scores.

RESULTS

The mental component of SF-36 was jointly predicted by the overall severity scores (t(74) = -3.61, P < 0.001) and overall general fluctuations (t(74) = -2.98, P = 0.004). The physical SF-36 was found to be related only to the overall symptom severity scores (t(74) = -7.09, P < 0.001), but not to the overall fluctuations. The assessment of the impact of different components showed that the mental component of SF-36 was significantly influenced by the combined effect of average fatigue (t(73) = -3.86, P < 0.001), between-day cognitive symptoms fluctuations (t(73) = -3.22, P = 0.002), and within-day mood fluctuations (t(73) = -2.48, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the impact of self-reported symptom fluctuations across multiple motor and non-motor domains on mental but not physical HRQoL in FMD and highlighted the importance of assessing and managing fluctuations in clinical practice.

Self-Reported Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in People With Functional Gait Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Functional gait disorder is a common presentation of functional neurological disorder. Altered gait is the defining feature, along with a range of associated motor and nonmotor symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and impact of these symptoms in people with functional gait disorder.

METHODS

A total of 156 people with functional gait disorder completed an online survey that included demographic information, self-reported symptoms, and standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

Weakness (85.9%) and reduced balance (80.1%) were the most prevalent motor symptoms, while fatigue (85.9%), somatosensory (69.9%), and cognitive (69.9%) symptoms were the most prevalent nonmotor symptoms. Logistic regression indicated that dependent ambulation had the greatest association with fear of falling and functional seizures (X2 (11, n = 128) = 40.68, p < 0.001). Stepwise regression indicated that functional seizures, muscle rigidity, depression, fear of falling, pain, and speech symptoms were associated with reduced participation in work and social function (adjusted R2 = 0.39, F (6, 120) = 14.31, p < 0.001). Stepwise regression revealed that lower physical quality of life was associated with pain, bradykinesia, fatigue, and dystonia (adjusted R2 = 0.32, F (4, 122) = 15.92, p < 0.001) while depression, anxiety, and functional seizures were associated with reduced mental quality of life (adjusted R2 = 0.46, F (3, 123) = 36.89, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Motor and nonmotor symptoms are highly prevalent in people with functional gait disorder and are associated with high levels of disability, reduced participation in work and social function, and reduced quality of life.

Neurocognitive performance in functional neurological disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cognitive complaints are common in functional neurological disorder (FND), but it is unclear whether objective neurocognitive deficits are present. This systematic review summarized validated/standardized cognitive test performance in FND samples across cognitive domains.

METHODS

Embase, PsycInfo and MEDLINE were searched from inception to 15 May 2023, combining terms for FND and cognitive domains (e.g., attention, memory, executive functioning). Studies included a range of FND phenotypes (seizures, motor, cognitive disorder, mixed), compared to healthy or clinical controls. Risk of bias was assessed with the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and a qualitative synthesis/narrative review of cognitive performance in FND was conducted. Test performance scores were extracted, and random effects meta-analyses were run where appropriate. This review was registered on PROSPERO, CRD42023423139.

RESULTS

Fifty-six studies including 2260 individuals with FND were eligible. Although evidence for some impairments emerged across domains of executive functioning, attention, memory and psychomotor/processing speed, this was inconsistent across studies and FND phenotypes. Common confounds included group differences in demographics, medication and intellectual functioning. Only 24% of studies objectively assessed performance validity. Meta-analyses revealed higher scores on tests of naming (g = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50, 0.84) and long-term memory (g = 0.43, 95% CI 0.13, 0.74) in functional seizures versus epilepsy, but no significant differences in working (g = -0.08, 95% CI -0.44, 0.29) or immediate (g = 0.25, 95% CI -0.02, 0.53) memory and cognitive flexibility (g = -0.01, 95% CI -0.29, 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

There is mixed evidence for objective cognitive deficits in FND. Future research should control for confounds, include tests of performance validity, and assess relationships between objective and subjective neurocognitive functioning.

Phenomenology and psychiatric correlates of pseudocataplexy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Pseudocataplexy is a rare functional neurological disorder that mimics cataplexy, pathognomonic for narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). We describe the psychiatric comorbidity and personality traits of patients with pseudocataplexy versus NT1 cases.

METHODS

The case-control observational study enrolled consecutive patients with pseudocataplexy and a control group of age-matched consecutive NT1 patients. The diagnostic work-up included a structured interview, 48-hour polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test, cataplexy provoking test, and hypocretin-1 measurement in cerebrospinal fluid. All participants were administered Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Personality Inventory for DSM-5 brief form, and quality-of-life (QoL) measurement by 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

Fifteen patients with pseudocataplexy and 30 with NT1 were included. Despite the suspicion of possible cataplexy, none of the pseudocataplexy participants fulfilled international diagnostic criteria for NT1. Pseudocataplexy patients presented higher rates of moderate state anxiety (40% vs. 10%, p = 0.018), medium level of somatic symptoms, defined by PHQ-15 score > 10 (66.7% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.003), and a trend towards moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (33.3% vs. 10%, p = 0.054) compared to NT1. No significant differences in personality traits emerged. Pseudocataplexy patients had worse QoL profiles in almost all SF-36 domains including physical (mean ± SD: 37.7 ± 9.88 vs. 51.13 ± 7.81, p < 0.001) and mental (mean ± SD: 33.36 ± 12.69 vs.42.76 ± 11.34, p = 0.02) summary scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with pseudocataplexy present more severe psychiatric symptoms and a lower QoL profile in comparison with patients with NT1. The severe somatoform and affection impairment in pseudocataplexy may explain the poorer QoL and should require a tailored therapeutic approach.

A window into the mind-brain-body interplay: Development of diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers, and rehabilitation strategies in functional motor disorders

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Functional motor disorders (FMD) present a prevalent, yet misunderstood spectrum of neurological conditions characterized by abnormal movements (i.e., functional limb weakness, tremor, dystonia, gait impairments), leading to substantial disability and diminished quality of life. Despite their high prevalence, FMD often face delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment, resulting in significant social and economic burdens. The old concept of psychological factors as the primary cause (conversion disorder) has been abandoned due to the need for more evidence about their causal role. According to a predictive coding account, the emerging idea is that symptoms and disability may depend on dysfunctions of a specific neural system integrating interoception, exteroception, and motor control. Consequently, symptoms are construed as perceptions of the body's state. Besides the main pathophysiological features (abnormal attentional focus, beliefs/expectations, and sense of agency), the lived experience of symptoms and their resulting disability may depend on an altered integration at the neural level of interoception, exteroception, and motor control.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Our proposal aims to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of FMD through a three-stage research approach. Initially, a large cohort study will collect behavioral, neurophysiological, and MRI biomarkers from patients with FMD and healthy controls, employing eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to develop a diagnostic algorithm. Subsequently, validation will occur using patients with organic motor disorders. Finally, the algorithm's prognostic value will be explored post-rehabilitation in one subgroup of patients with FMD.

RESULTS

Data collection for the present study started in May 2023, and by May 2025, data collection will conclude.

DISCUSSION

Our approach seeks to enhance early diagnosis and prognostication, improve FMD management, and reduce associated disability and socio-economic costs by identifying disease-specific biomarkers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06328790).

Pain and functional neurological disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is characterised by neurological symptoms, such as seizures and abnormal movements. Despite its significance to patients, the clinical features of chronic pain in people with FND, and of FND in people with chronic pain, have not been comprehensively studied.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO for studies of chronic pain in adults with FND and FND in patients with chronic pain. We described the proportions of patients reporting pain, pain rating and timing, pain-related diagnoses and responsiveness to treatment. We performed random effects meta-analyses of the proportions of patients with FND who reported pain or were diagnosed with pain-related disorders.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and fifteen articles were screened and 64 were included in the analysis. Eight case-control studies of 3476 patients described pain symptoms in a higher proportion of patients with FND than controls with other neurological disorders. A random effects model of 30 cohorts found that an estimated 55% (95% CI 46% to 64%) of 4272 patients with FND reported pain. Random effects models estimated diagnoses of complex regional pain syndrome in 22% (95% CI 6% to 39%) of patients, irritable bowel syndrome in 16% (95% CI 9% to 24%) and fibromyalgia in 10% (95% CI 8% to 13%). Five studies of FND diagnoses among 361 patients with chronic pain were identified. Most interventions for FND did not ameliorate pain, even when other symptoms improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain symptoms and pain-related diagnoses are common in FND. Classification systems and treatments should routinely consider pain as a comorbidity in patients with FND.

The role of neuropsychology in the care of patients with functional neurological symptom disorder

OBJECTIVE

Functional neurological symptom disorder (FNSD) is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by signs/symptoms associated with brain network dysfunction. FNSDs are common and are associated with high healthcare costs. FNSDs are relevant to neuropsychologists, as they frequently present with chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms, subjective cognitive concerns, and/or low neuropsychological test scores, with associated disability and reduced quality of life. However, neuropsychologists in some settings are not involved in care of patients with FNSDs. This review summarizes relevant FNSD literature with a focus on the role of neuropsychologists.

METHODS

A brief review of the literature is provided with respect to epidemiology, public health impact, symptomatology, pathophysiology, and treatment.

RESULTS

Two primary areas of focus for this review are the following: (1) increasing neuropsychologists' training in FNSDs, and (2) increasing neuropsychologists' role in assessment and treatment of FNSD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FNSD would benefit from increased involvement of neuropsychologists in their care.

Functional Movement Disorders: Updates and Clinical Overview

Functional movement disorder (FMD) is a type of functional neurological disorder that is common but often difficult to diagnose or manage. FMD can present as various phenotypes, including tremor, dystonia, myoclonus, gait disorders, and parkinsonism. Conducting a clinical examination appropriate for assessing a patient with suspected FMD is important, and various diagnostic testing maneuvers may also be helpful. Treatment involving a multidisciplinary team, either outpatient or inpatient, has been found to be most effective. Examples of such treatment protocols are also discussed in this review. While recognition and understanding of the disorder has improved over the past few decades, as well as the development of treatments, it is not uncommon for patients and physicians to continue to experience various difficulties when dealing with this disorder. In this review, I provide a practical overview of FMD and discuss how the clinical encounter itself can play a role in patients' acceptance of the diagnosis. Recent neuroimaging studies that aid in understanding the pathophysiology are also discussed.

[Understanding and explaining functional movement disorders]

Functional movement disorders are not uncommon in neurological consultations, hospitals and emergency departments. Although the disorder can usually be recognized clinically, the communication of the diagnosis is often unsatisfactory. Those affected are indirectly accused of a lack of insight or openness but it is often the doctors who fail to formulate a coherent and comprehensible explanation of the underlying disorder. In this review an integrative model for the development of functional movement disorders is presented, which places the motor (and nonmotor) symptoms in a neuroscientific light. In addition, explanations and metaphors are presented that have proven helpful in conveying an understanding of the disorder.

Sensory Processing Difficulties and Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background and Objectives

Occupational therapy (OT) consensus recommendations and articles outlining a sensory-based OT intervention for functional neurological disorder (FND) have been published. However, limited research has been conducted to examine the efficacy of OT interventions for FND. We performed a retrospective cohort study aimed at independently replicating preliminarily characterized sensory processing difficulties in patients with FND and reporting on clinical outcomes of a sensory-based OT treatment in this population. We hypothesized that (1) a history of functional seizures, anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder would be associated with increased sensory processing difficulties and (2) the number of OT treatment sessions received would positively relate to clinical improvement.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed for 77 consecutive adults with FND who received outpatient, sensory-based OT care. Data from the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile characterized self-reported sensory processing patterns across 4 quadrants (low registration, sensory sensitivity, sensory seeking, and sensory avoidance) in this population. Following univariate screenings, multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify neuropsychiatric characteristics associated with discrete sensory processing patterns. Clinical improvement was quantified using an estimated, clinician-determined improvement rating ("improved" vs "not improved"), and relationships between clinical participation, baseline neuropsychiatric factors, and outcomes were investigated.

Results

Patients with FND reported sensory processing patterns with elevated scores in low registration, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoidance compared with normative values; differences in sensory processing scores were not observed across FND subtypes (i.e., motor, seizure, and speech variants). In linear regression analyses, lifetime history of an anxiety disorder, history of migraine headaches, current cognitive complaints, and a comorbid major neurologic condition independently predicted individual differences in sensory processing scores. Following a sensory-based OT intervention, 62% of individuals with FND were clinician determined as "improved." In a multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for baseline characteristics associated with improvement ratings, number of treatment sessions positively correlated with clinical improvement.

Discussion

These findings support the presence of sensory processing difficulties in patients with FND and provide Class IV evidence for the efficacy of an outpatient, sensory-based OT intervention in this population. Controlled prospective trials are warranted.

Sleepiness and comorbid sleep disorders in functional motor disorders: a comparative study with central hypersomnia

Sleep symptoms, including excessive sleepiness, are frequently reported by patients with functional motor disorders (FMD). We aimed to classify the comorbid sleep disorders in FMD, and to investigate the relationship between subjective sleepiness and objective measures of hypersomnia, comparing them with data from people with central hypersomnia. A total of 37 patients (mean [SD] age 46.4 [11.2] years) with clinically definite FMD, and 17 patients (mean [SD] age 41.1 [11.6] years) with central hypersomnia underwent structured medical and sleep history, neurological examination, polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), and questionnaires assessing sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. In all, 23 patients with FMD (62%) reported excessive daytime sleepiness. Evidence of specific sleep disorders was identified in our cohort, with 35% having restless legs syndrome; 49% obstructive sleep apnea; and 8% periodic limb movements in sleep; however, the presence of these disorders was not correlated with subjective sleepiness. Patients with FMD with self-reported sleepiness reported higher fatigue (p = 0.002), depression (p = 0.002), and had longer sleep latencies in the MSLT (p < 0.001) compared to the patients with central hypersomnia. No correlation was found between subjective and objective sleepiness in either group. Fatigue positively correlated with self-reported sleepiness in patients with FMD (p < 0.001). This study did not find objective correlates of increased sleepiness in patients with FMD. While sleep abnormalities were found to be common in FMD, they were not correlated with self-reports of excessive sleepiness. Positive correlations between self-reported sleepiness and fatigue support the current unified model of non-motor symptoms in FMD.

Unravelling the influence of affective stimulation on functional neurological symptoms: a pilot experiment examining potential mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Differences in affective processing have previously been shown in functional neurological disorder (FND); however, the mechanistic relevance is uncertain. We tested the hypotheses that highly arousing affective stimulation would result in elevated subjective functional neurological symptoms (FNS), and this would be associated with elevated autonomic reactivity. The possible influence of cognitive detachment was also explored.

METHOD

Individuals diagnosed with FND (motor symptoms/seizures; n=14) and healthy controls (n=14) viewed Positive, Negative and Neutral images in blocks, while passively observing the stimuli ('Watch') or detaching themselves ('Distance'). The FND group rated their primary FNS, and all participants rated subjective physical (arousal, pain, fatigue) and psychological states (positive/negative affect, dissociation), immediately after each block. Skin conductance (SC) and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously.

RESULTS

FNS ratings were higher after Negative compared with Positive and Neutral blocks in the FND group (p=0.002, ηp 2=0.386); however, this effect was diminished in the Distance condition relative to the Watch condition (p=0.018, ηp 2=0.267). SC and/or HR correlated with FNS ratings in the Negative-Watch and Neutral-Distance conditions (r values=0.527-0.672, p values=0.006-0.035). The groups did not differ in subjective affect or perceived arousal (p values=0.541-0.919, ηp 2=<0.001-0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Emotionally significant events may exert an influence on FNS which is related to autonomic activation rather than altered subjective affect or perceived arousal. This influence may be modulated by cognitive detachment. Further work is needed to determine the relevance and neural bases of these processes in specific FND phenotypes.

Etiological Factors and Symptom Triggers in Functional Motor Symptoms and Functional Seizures: A Pilot Investigation

OBJECTIVE

This study examined etiological factors and symptom triggers of functional motor symptoms (FMS) or functional seizures (FS) and assessed potential relationships with relevant clinical features (i.e., functional symptoms, quality of life, and general functioning).

METHODS

Seventeen participants with FMS or FS and 17 healthy control participants underwent an in-depth clinical interview and completed questionnaires assessing adverse life events, psychological and physical symptoms, alexithymia, autistic traits, illness perceptions, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and work and social functioning.

RESULTS

Participants with FMS or FS perceived various causes of the disorder, including physical symptoms (65%), emotional problems (53%), adverse life events (47%), and work-related factors (29%). Triggers of FMS and FS included physical activity or exertion (59%), stress and emotions (59%), sensory experiences (47%), and fatigue (41%). Compared with healthy control participants, participants with FMS or FS reported more adverse events during adolescence and higher levels of alexithymia, somatoform dissociation, psychological dissociation (disengagement, depersonalization, and derealization), anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms. Participants with FMS or FS had worse HRQoL than healthy control participants and impaired work and social functioning. There were inverse associations between HRQoL scores and somatoform dissociation, anxiety, and adverse life events.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with FMS or FS reported diverse biopsychosocial etiological factors and symptom triggers. Ongoing psychological symptoms and lifetime adverse experiences were associated with worse HRQoL. Future studies will examine these factors in larger samples of individuals with FMS or FS to better understand their shared and distinct etiological underpinnings.

Exploratory assessment of parental physical disease categories as predictors of documented physical child abuse

Improved prediction of physical child abuse could aid in developing preventive measures. Parental physical disease has been tested previously as a predictor of documented physical child abuse but in broad categories and with differing results. No prior studies have tested clinically recognizable categories of parental disease in a high-powered dataset. Using Danish registries, data on children and their parents from the years 1997-2018 were used to explore several parental physical disease categories' associations with documented physical child abuse. For each disease category, survival analysis using pseudovalues was applied. When a parent of a child was diagnosed or received medication that qualified for a category, this family and five comparison families not in this disease category were included, creating separate cohorts for each category of disease. Multiple analyses used samples drawn from 2,705,770 children. Estimates were produced for 32 categories of physical diseases. Using Bonferroni-corrected confidence intervals (CIc), ischemic heart disease showed a relative risk (RR) of 1.44 (CIc 1.13-1.84); peripheral artery occlusive disease, RR 1.39 (CIc 1.01-1.90); stroke, RR 1.19 (1.01-1.41); chronic pulmonary disease, RR 1.33 (CIc 1.18-1.51); ulcer/chronic gastritis, RR 1.27 (CIc 1.08-1.49); painful condition, 1.17 (CIc 1.00-1.37); epilepsy, RR 1.24 (CIc 1.00-1.52); and unspecific somatic symptoms, RR 1.37 (CIc 1.21-1.55). Unspecific somatic symptoms were present in 71.87% of families at some point during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Most parental physical disease categories did not show statistically significant associations, but some showed predictive ability. Further research is needed to explore preventive potential.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Few and broad categories of parental physical disease have been examined as risk factors for severe physical child abuse; no prior study has used several categories as predictors.

WHAT IS NEW

• Unspecific symptoms, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery occlusive disease, stroke, chronic pulmonary disease, stomach ulcer/chronic gastritis, painful condition, and epilepsy all showed to be potential predictors, with unspecific symptoms being the most prevalent.

Understanding the spectrum of non-motor symptoms in multiple sclerosis: insights from animal models

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system and is generally considered to be a non-traumatic, physically debilitating neurological disorder. In addition to experiencing motor disability, patients with multiple sclerosis also experience a variety of non-motor symptoms, including cognitive deficits, anxiety, depression, sensory impairments, and pain. However, the pathogenesis and treatment of such non-motor symptoms in multiple sclerosis are still under research. Preclinical studies for multiple sclerosis benefit from the use of disease-appropriate animal models, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Prior to understanding the pathophysiology and developing treatments for non-motor symptoms, it is critical to characterize the animal model in terms of its ability to replicate certain non-motor features of multiple sclerosis. As such, no single animal model can mimic the entire spectrum of symptoms. This review focuses on the non-motor symptoms that have been investigated in animal models of multiple sclerosis as well as possible underlying mechanisms. Further, we highlighted gaps in the literature to explain the non-motor aspects of multiple sclerosis in experimental animal models, which will serve as the basis for future studies.

Objective and subjective neurocognitive functioning in functional motor symptoms and functional seizures: preliminary findings

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to provide a preliminary assessment of objective and subjective neurocognitive functioning in individuals with functional motor symptoms (FMS) and/or functional seizures (FS). We tested the hypotheses that the FMS/FS group would display poorer objective attentional and executive functioning, altered social cognition, and reduced metacognitive accuracy.

METHOD

Individuals with FMS/FS (n = 16) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 17) completed an abbreviated CANTAB battery, and measures of intellectual functioning, subjective cognitive complaints, performance validity, and comorbid symptoms. Subjective performance ratings were obtained to assess local metacognitive accuracy.

RESULTS

The groups were comparable in age (p = 0.45), sex (p = 0.62), IQ (p = 0.57), and performance validity (p-values = 0.10-0.91). We observed no impairment on any CANTAB test in this FMS/FS sample compared to HCs, although the FMS/FS group displayed shorter reaction times on the Emotional Bias task (anger) (p = 0.01, np2 = 0.20). The groups did not differ in subjective performance ratings (p-values 0.15). Whilst CANTAB attentional set-shifting performance (total trials/errors) correlated with subjective performance ratings in HCs (p-values<0.005, rs = -0.85), these correlations were non-significant in the FMS/FS sample (p-values = 0.10-0.13, rs-values = -0.46-0.50). The FMS/FS group reported more daily cognitive complaints than HCs (p = 0.006, g = 0.92), which were associated with subjective performance ratings on CANTAB sustained attention (p = 0.001, rs = -0.74) and working memory tests (p < 0.001, rs = -0.75), and with depression (p = 0.003, rs = 0.70), and somatoform (p = 0.003, rs = 0.70) and psychological dissociation (p-values<0.005, rs-values = 0.67-0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a discordance between objective and subjective neurocognitive functioning in this FMS/FS sample, reflecting intact test performance alongside poorer subjective cognitive functioning. Further investigation of neurocognitive functioning in FND subgroups is necessary.

Functional Movement Disorder: Assessment and Treatment

Functional movement disorder (FMD) is a common, potentially reversible source of disability in neurology. Over the last two decades, there have been major advances in our understanding of the clinical picture, diagnosis, and management of this condition. Motor presentation is heterogeneous and several non-motor symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue) are part of the clinical spectrum. The diagnosis should be made by neurologists or neuropsychiatrists based on the presence of positive signs of inconsistency and incongruence with neurological diseases. Promising evidence has accumulated for the efficacy of physiotherapy, psychotherapy, or both in the management of FMD, for a majority of patients.

Increased Frequency of Self-Reported Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Patients with Functional Movement Disorders

Background

Functional movement disorders (FMD) are associated with a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities.

Objective

To assess the frequency of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) in FMD.

Methods

A total of 167 consecutive patients with clinically definite FMD (mean age = 44.4 years, standard deviation [SD] = 12.0, 119 females) and 145 healthy controls (mean age = 43.2 years, SD = 11.8, 103 females) completed the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), which is a widely used tool for assessing OCS. The cutoff score ≥21 is indicative of clinically significant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Motor symptom severity was assessed using the Simplified FMD Rating Scale (S-FMDRS). All subjects completed questionnaires for depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue, cognitive complaints, health-related quality of life, and childhood trauma. Personality traits were assessed using the Big Five questionnaire.

Results

FMD patients had higher mean OCI-R score and higher proportion of individuals with OCI-R ≥ 21 42%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (30.2, 54.6) versus 16%, 95% CI = (8.2, 28.2) in controls, P < 0.001. Patients had higher scores in three domains: checking, ordering, and obsessing (P < 0.001). FMD patients with OCI-R score ≥21 had higher depression, anxiety, cognitive complaints, and lower quality of life compared to those with score <21 (P < 0.001). No correlation between OCI-R and S-FMDRS scores was found.

Conclusions

FMD patients reported higher rates of OCS compared to controls, along with higher rates of non-motor symptoms and lower quality of life. This finding may have clinical implications and raises the possibility of shared risk factors and common pathophysiological mechanisms in FMD and OCD.

Economic Cost of Functional Neurologic Disorders: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Functional neurologic disorder (FND) represents genuine involuntary neurologic symptoms and signs including seizures, weakness, and sensory disturbance, which have characteristic clinical features, and represent a problem of voluntary control and perception despite normal basic structure of the nervous system. The historical view of FND as a diagnosis of exclusion can lead to unnecessary health care resource utilization and high direct and indirect economic costs. A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to assess these economic costs and to assess for any cost-effective treatments.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the National Health Service Economic Evaluations Database of the University of York) for original, primary research publications between inception of the databases and April 8, 2022. A hand search of conference abstracts was also conducted. Key search terms included "functional neurologic disorder," "conversion disorder," and "functional seizures." Reviews, case reports, case series, and qualitative studies were excluded. We performed a descriptive and qualitative thematic analysis of the resulting studies.

RESULTS

The search resulted in a total of 3,244 studies. Sixteen studies were included after screening and exclusion of duplicates. These included the following: cost-of-illness (COI) studies that were conducted alongside cohort studies without intervention and those that included a comparator group, for example, another neurologic disorder (n = 4); COI studies that were conducted alongside cohort studies without intervention and those that did not include a comparator group (n = 4); economic evaluations of interventions that were either pre-post cohort studies (n = 6) or randomized controlled trials (n = 2). Of these, 5 studies assessed active interventions, and 3 studies assessed costs before and after a definitive diagnosis of FND. Studies showed an excess annual cost associated with FND (range $4,964-$86,722 2021 US dollars), which consisted of both direct and large indirect costs. Studies showed promise that interventions, including provision of a definitive diagnosis, could reduce this cost (range 9%-90.7%). No cost-effective treatments were identified. Study comparison was limited by study design and location heterogeneity.

DISCUSSION

FND is associated with a significant use of health care resources, resulting in economic costs to both the patient and the taxpayer and intangible losses. Interventions, including accurate diagnosis, seem to offer an avenue toward reducing these costs.

Overall comorbidities in functional neurological disorder: A narrative review

INTRODUCTION

The importance to assess and include the frequent comorbidities in the personalised care management plan of patients with functional neurological disorders (FND) has arisen through the years. FND patients are not only complaining from motor and/or sensory symptoms. They also report some non-specific symptoms that participate to the burden of FND. In this narrative review, we aim to better describe these comorbidities in terms of prevalence, clinical characteristics and their variability depending on the subtype of FND.

METHODS

The literature was searched for on Medline and PubMed. The search was narrowed to articles between 2000 and 2022.

RESULTS

Fatigue is the most common symptom reported in relation to FND (from 47 to 93%), followed by cognitive symptoms (from 80 to 85%). Psychiatric disorders are reported in 40 to 100% FND patients, depending on the FND subtype (functional motor disorder [FMD], functional dissociative seizures [FDS]…) but also on the type of psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorders being the most frequent, followed by mood disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders). Stress factors such as childhood trauma exposure (emotional neglect and physical abuse predominantly) have also been identified in up to 75% of FND patients, along with maladaptive coping strategies. Organic disorders are commonly reported in FND, such as neurological disorders (including epilepsy in FDS [20%] and FMD in Parkinson's Disease [7%]). Somatic symptom disorders including chronic pain syndromes are frequently associated to FND (about 50%). To be noted, recent data also suggest a high comorbidity between FND and hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (about 55%).

CONCLUSION

Put together, this narrative review highlights the high burden of FND patients, not only due to somatosensory alterations but also by considering the frequent comorbidities reported. Thus, such comorbidities must be taken into consideration when defining the FND personalised care management strategy for the patients.

The complex syndrome of functional neurological disorder

BACKGROUND

Patients with functional neurological disorders (FND) often present with multiple motor, sensory, psychological and cognitive symptoms. In order to explore the relationship between these common symptoms, we performed a detailed clinical assessment of motor, non-motor symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disability in a large cohort of patients with motor FND. To understand the clinical heterogeneity, cluster analysis was used to search for subgroups within the cohort.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-two patients with a clinically established diagnosis of motor FND were assessed for motor symptom severity using the Simplified Functional Movement Disorder Rating Scale (S-FMDRS), the number of different motor phenotypes (i.e. tremor, dystonia, gait disorder, myoclonus, and weakness), gait severity and postural instability. All patients then evaluated each motor symptom type severity on a Likert scale and completed questionnaires for depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue, cognitive complaints and HRQoL.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found among the self-reported and all objective motor symptoms severity measures. All self-reported measures including HRQoL correlated strongly with each other. S-FMDRS weakly correlated with HRQoL. Hierarchical cluster analysis supplemented with gap statistics revealed a homogenous patient sample which could not be separated into subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

We interpret the lack of evidence of clusters along with a high degree of correlation between all self-reported and objective measures of motor or non-motor symptoms and HRQoL within current neurobiological models as evidence to support a unified pathophysiology of 'functional' symptoms. Our results support the unification of functional and somatic syndromes in classification schemes and for future mechanistic and therapeutic research.

Functional Gait Disorders: Clinical presentations, Phenotypes and Implications for treatment

BACKGROUND

Functional Gait Disorders (FGD) are a common presentation of motor-Functional Neurological Disorders (motor-FND) that affect walking ability.

AIM

To provide a narrative review of the current literature on FGD.

METHODS

A narrative overview of published literature was undertaken, based on a systematic search of relevant databases, authoritative texts and citation tracking.

RESULTS

FGD is multidimensional and disabling, with numerous phenotypes described in the literature, including 'knee buckling,' 'astasia-abasia' and 'excessive slowness.' Motor symptoms such as weakness or tremor, and non-motor symptoms, such as pain and fatigue may contribute to the disability and distress in FGD. Phenotypic features and clinical signs are seen in FGD that demonstrate inconsistency and incongruity with structural disease. A limited number of treatment studies have specifically focussed on FGD, however, reporting of outcomes from motor-FND cohorts has demonstrated short and long-term improvements in walking ability through multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative contribution of motor and non-motor symptoms in FGD remains unknown, but it is likely that non-motor symptoms increase the illness burden and should be considered during assessment and treatment. Recommended treatment for FGD involves multidisciplinary rehabilitation, but optimum treatment elements are yet to be determined.

Functional neurological disorder: Clinical manifestations and comorbidities; an online survey

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is common and is often accompanied by multiple comorbid symptoms and conditions. There have been no large-scale studies exploring the change of its clinical manifestations and comorbidities. We used an online survey to assess FND patient characteristics, changes to fatigue, sleep and pain and comorbid symptoms and diagnoses, as well as treatment strategies. The survey was shared via the charities FND Action and FND Hope. 527 participants were included in the analysis. Most (97.3%) reported experiencing more than one core FND symptom. Many respondents reported associated pain (78.1%), fatigue (78.0%) and sleep disturbances (46.7%) before FND diagnosis which often increased thereafter. Rates of obesity were higher (36.9%) than in the general population. Obesity was associated with increased pain, fatigue and sleep difficulties. There was frequent weight gain after diagnosis. 50.0% of participants reported having other diagnoses prior to FND, while in 43.3% new comorbidities arise after FND diagnosis. Many respondents reported being dissatisfied with their care, expressing a wish for further follow-up from mental health (32.7%) and/or neurological services (44.3%). This large online survey further supports the phenotypic complexity of FND. High rates of pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance exist before diagnosis but monitoring for change is worthwhile. Our study identified major gaps in service provision; we highlight the importance of an open mind regarding change in symptoms; this could aid the early identification and management of co-morbidities, including obesity and migraine, which possibly have a negative impact on FND.

Moving Beyond Movement: Diagnosing Functional Movement Disorder

Functional movement disorder (FMD) is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome, encompassing abnormal movements and weakness, and is a common cause of potentially disabling neurological symptoms. It is vital to recognize that FMD is a syndrome, with nonmotor manifestations negatively affecting a patient's quality of life. This review highlights a diagnostic algorithm, where a history suggestive of FMD is combined with the presence of positive signs on examination and appropriate investigations to make the diagnosis. Positive signs indicate internal inconsistency such as variability and distractibility, and clinical findings that are incongruent with other known neurological disease. Importantly, the clinical assessment acts as the first opportunity to allow patients to understand FMD as the cause for their symptoms. Accurate and early diagnosis of FMD is necessary given that it is a treatable and potentially reversible cause of disability, with significant risk of iatrogenic harm associated with misdiagnosis.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and functional motor disorders in developmental age: A comparison of clinical and psychopathological features

BACKGROUND

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) and Functional Motor Disorders (FMDs) commonly represent the main clinical manifestations of Functional Neurological Disorders (FNDs). Despite their high prevalence in pediatric neurological services, literature on this topic is still spare for this population. The present study aimed to deepen the clinical knowledge of a pediatric FNDs sample through a demographic and clinical characterization of the most recurrent clinical patterns during the pediatric age. Moreover, a comparison of neuropsychological and psychopathological profiles of PNES and FMD patients was carried out to identify specific vulnerabilities and therapeutic targets linked with these different clinical manifestations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 43 FNDs patients (age range 7-17 years old) were retrospectively included in our study, enrolled in two subgroups: 20 with FMDs and 23 with PNES diagnosis. They were inpatients and outpatients referred over a period of 5 years and a standardized neurological, neuropsychological (WISC-IV/WAIS-IV), and psychiatric (CDI-2, MASC-2, ADES, DIS-Q, PID-5) evaluation was assessed.

RESULTS

In PNES patients the most common clinical phenotypes were functional tonic-clonic (52%) and atonic (32%) manifestations while in the FMDs group were gait alterations (60%), functional myoclonus (35%), and tremor (35%). A higher frequency of cognitive impairment was reported in PNES patients with higher anxiety-depressive symptom rates than FMDs patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Notably, specific neurocognitive and psychopathological profiles were described in PNES and FMDs, highlighting higher cognitive and psychiatric vulnerabilities in PNES, suggesting as well different strategy for therapeutic approaches.

Speech and language therapy: A treatment case series of 20 patients with functional speech disorder

BACKGROUND

While expert consensus recommendations support the use of speech and language therapy (SLT) for patients with functional speech disorder (FND-speech), there are limited published data on clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively report the treatment outcomes and clinical characteristics of patients with FND-speech that attended outpatient SLT as part of a multidisciplinary program for functional neurological disorder (FND).

METHODS

In this case series, we included adult patients with FND-speech that consecutively participated in outpatient SLT at our institution between October 2014 and September 2021. Baseline demographic and neuropsychiatric characteristics were extracted from the medical records, along with data on FND-speech phenotypes, number of treatment sessions received, and clinician-determined outcomes. Only descriptive statistics were used to report findings.

RESULTS

Twenty patients met inclusion criteria; ages ranged from 21-77, with a mean of 51.6±16.2 years. 85% of the cohort presented with mixed FND-speech symptoms. Patients attended a range of 2-37 visits, with an average of 9.2±8.0 visits over 4.4±3.5 months. At the last treatment session, 3 patients were asymptomatic, 15 had improved, and 2 had not improved; 8 individuals that improved received video telehealth interventions.

CONCLUSION

This case series lends additional support for outpatient SLT in the assessment and management of individuals with FND-speech, and may help clarify patient and provider treatment expectations. Additional prospective research is needed to investigate baseline predictors of treatment response and further define the optimal frequency, intensity, duration, and clinical setting for SLT delivery in this population.

Exploring factors that influence HRQoL for people living with Parkinson's in one region of Ireland: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The diversity of symptoms associated with Parkinson's and their impact on functioning have led to an increased interest in exploring factors that impact Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Although the experience of Parkinson's is unique, some symptoms have a greater impact than others, e.g. depression. Moreover, as the risk of Parkinson's increases with age, the financial and public health impact of this condition is likely to increase, particularly within the context of a globally ageing population. In Ireland, research is ongoing in the pursuit of causes and effective treatments for Parkinson's; however, its impact on everyday living, functioning, and HRQoL is largely under-examined. This study aims to describe factors that influence HRQoL for people with Parkinson's (PwP) in one region of Ireland.

METHODS

A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted among people living with Parkinson's (n = 208) in one area of Ireland. This survey included socio-demographic questions, Nonmotor Symptoms Questionnaire for Parkinson's disease (NMSQuest), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, IBM version 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, II, USA).

RESULTS

Participants reflected a predominantly older population who were married, and lived in their own homes (91%). Participants diagnosed the longest reported poorer HRQoL regarding mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, social support, cognition, communication domains and overall HRQoL. Lower HRQoL correlated with higher depression scores p < 0.001 and participants in the lower HRQoL cohort experienced 2.25 times more non-motor symptoms (NMSs) than participants with higher HRQoL. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis predicted Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) score, NMS burden, and years since diagnosis to negatively impact HRQoL. Principal component analysis (PCA) also indicated that for the population in this study, components measuring 1) independence/dependence 2) stigma 3) emotional well-being, and 4) pain were central to explaining core aspects of participants' HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlighted the negative impact of longer disease duration, NMS burden, depression, mobility impairments, and perceived dependence on HRQoL for PwP. The positive influence of perceived independence, social engagement along with close supportive relationships were also identified as key components determining HRQoL. Findings emphasised the importance of long-term healthcare commitment to sustaining social and community supports and therapeutic, rehabilitative initiatives to augment HRQoL for PwP.

Attention impairment in motor functional neurological disorders: a neuropsychological study

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to assess cognitive functioning across multiple cognitive domains using a standardised neuropsychological battery in patients with motor functional neurological disorders (mFND).

METHODS

Thirty patients with clinically established mFND and 30 age-, sex- and education-matched control subjects underwent a thorough neuropsychological assessment evaluating (1) attention including processing speed, (2) executive functions including working memory, (3) short-term memory, (4) speech and language and (5) visuospatial functions. Performance validity tests (PVT) and self-report measures of depression, anxiety and cognitive complaints were included in the assessment. Only patients with valid test performance were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Three patients scored below the cut-off scores in PVT. Patients performed significantly worse than controls in the following areas: (1) the attention domain which included a slow processing speed (p = 0.005, Cohen's d = 0.89), (2) executive functions (p = 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.88) and (3) speech and language domains (p = 0.025, Cohen's d = 0.77). Patients with mFND showed greater intra-individual variability in cognitive performance (p = 0.005, Cohen's d = 0.94). Cognitive impairments were independent of depressive symptoms, which were higher in mFND patients.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed both subjective and objective cognitive impairment in patients with mFND. The neuropsychological profile in mFND was characterised primarily by attentional impairment including a slow processing speed and a high intra-individual variability in cognitive performance. Cognitive impairment was associated with a valid test performance, highlighting that the deficits observed were not likely to be explained by a lack of effort in the patient group. Attention is considered to play a key role in mFND pathophysiology, and the results suggest that such impairments are objectively measurable.

Improvement in motor symptoms, physical fatigue, and self-rated change perception in functional motor disorders: a prospective cohort study of a 12-week telemedicine program

BACKGROUND

Functional motor disorders (FMDs) are highly disabling conditions associated with long-term disability, poor quality of life, and economic burden on health and social care. While multidisciplinary 5-days rehabilitation programs have been shown to reduce motor and non-motor symptoms, long-term management and monitoring in FMDs remain an unmet need.

AIM

To compare a 12-weeks telemedicine program against a 12-weeks self-management program after a 5-days rehabilitation program for improving motor, non-motor symptoms, quality of life, and perception of change in patients with FMDs.

METHODS

The study population was 64 consecutive patients with a definite diagnosis of FMDs who underwent a 5-days in-person rehabilitation program followed by either a self-management (the first 32 patients) or a telemedicine program (the latter 32 patients). Validated measures of motor and non-motor symptoms such as fatigue and pain, quality of life, perception of change, gait, and postural control were recorded before (T0), after completion of rehabilitation (T1), and then again at 3 months (T2).

RESULTS

Improvement at 3-month follow-up assessment of motor symptoms (p < 0.001), physical fatigue (p = 0.028), and self-rated change perception (p = 0.043) was greater in the telemedicine group. No different between-groups effect was found on other dimensions of fatigue, pain, physical and mental health, and gait and postural control.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term management and expert monitoring of patients with FMDs via telemedicine may enhance long-term outcomes in motor symptoms and physical fatigue, with a positive long-term impact on self-rated health perception of change.

Functional movement disorder gender, age and phenotype study: a systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis of 4905 cases

Functional movement disorder (FMD) is a common manifestation of functional neurological disorder presenting with diverse phenotypes such as tremor, weakness and gait disorder. Our current understanding of the basic epidemiological features of this condition is unclear. We aimed to describe and examine the relationship between age at onset, phenotype and gender in FMD in a large meta-analysis of published and unpublished individual patient cases. An electronic search of PubMed was conducted for studies from 1968 to 2019 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Individual patient data were collected through a research network. We described the distribution of age of onset and how this varied by gender and motor phenotype. A one-stage meta-analysis was performed using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression, including random intercepts for country and data source. A total of 4905 individual cases were analysed (72.6% woman). The mean age at onset was 39.6 years (SD 16.1). Women had a significantly earlier age of onset than men (39.1 years vs 41.0 years). Mixed FMD (23.1%), tremor (21.6%) and weakness (18.1%) were the most common phenotypes. Compared with tremor (40.7 years), the mean ages at onset of dystonia (34.5 years) and weakness (36.4 years) were significantly younger, while gait disorders (43.2 years) had a significantly later age at onset. The interaction between gender and phenotype was not significant. FMD peaks in midlife with varying effects of gender on age at onset and phenotype. The data gives some support to 'lumping' FMD as a unitary disorder but also highlights the value in 'splitting' into individual phenotypes where relevant.

Functional neurological disorder: new subtypes and shared mechanisms

Functional neurological disorder is common in neurological practice. A new approach to the positive diagnosis of this disorder focuses on recognisable patterns of genuinely experienced symptoms and signs that show variability within the same task and between different tasks over time. Psychological stressors are common risk factors for functional neurological disorder, but are often absent. Four entities-functional seizures, functional movement disorders, persistent perceptual postural dizziness, and functional cognitive disorder-show similarities in aetiology and pathophysiology and are variants of a disorder at the interface between neurology and psychiatry. All four entities have distinctive features and can be diagnosed with the support of clinical neurophysiological studies and other biomarkers. The pathophysiology of functional neurological disorder includes overactivity of the limbic system, the development of an internal symptom model as part of a predictive coding framework, and dysfunction of brain networks that gives movement the sense of voluntariness. Evidence supports tailored multidisciplinary treatment that can involve physical and psychological therapy approaches.

The impact of recurrent Covid-19 waves on patients with Functional Movement Disorders: A follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Functional Movement Disorders (FMDs) might exacerbate in stressful conditions. As the global health emergency due to Covid-19 rise and multiple waves hit the Italian population, the recurrent severe restrictions' periods imposed could represent important triggers and worsen the symptoms of FMDs. Through a follow-up study, we compare results on Motor Symptoms (MS), Non-Motor Symptoms (NMS), and Global Health Status (GHS) of two surveys, one referred to the first Covid-19 wave and the other to the third Covid-19 wave.

METHODS

60 FMDs patients responded to an online survey after the first and the third Covid-19 waves in Italy. Questions regarding sociodemographic, clinical and Covid-19 information, MS, NMS, and GHS were collected to assess severity of symptoms and changes in comparison to a period with less severe social restrictions.

RESULTS

Patients showed minimal to mild motor symptoms' severity, and substantial stability through time in all collected measures, both for severity and changes of MS, NMS, and GHS in comparison at two time points (p > 0.050). The worsening of pain resulted as predictor factor for the worsening of Motor Symptoms (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients did not show a vulnerability due to the recurrent restrictions' periods: MS, NMS and GHS did not vary in comparison to the first wave, confirming the previous results and highlighting the role of the social context in those disorders. Further investigations are required to better disentangle the relationship between stressful events, motor symptoms, and pain.

Diagnosis and management of functional neurological disorder

Functional neurological disorder (FND), previously regarded as a diagnosis of exclusion, is now a rule-in diagnosis with available treatments. This represents a major step toward destigmatizing the disorder, which was often doubted and deemed untreatable. FND is prevalent, generally affecting young and middle aged adults, and can cause severe disability in some individuals. An early diagnosis, with subsequent access to evidence based rehabilitative and/or psychological treatments, can promote recovery-albeit not all patients respond to currently available treatments. This review presents the latest advances in the use of validated rule-in examination signs to guide diagnosis, and the range of therapeutic approaches available to care for patients with FND. The article focuses on the two most frequently identified subtypes of FND: motor (weakness and/or movement disorders) and seizure type symptoms. Twenty two studies on motor and 27 studies on seizure type symptoms report high specificities of clinical signs (64-100%), and individual signs are reviewed. Rehabilitative interventions (physical and occupational therapy) are treatments of choice for functional motor symptoms, while psychotherapy is an emerging evidence based treatment across FND subtypes. The literature to date highlights heterogeneity in responses to treatment, underscoring that more research is needed to individualize treatments and develop novel interventions.

Toward a possible trauma subtype of functional neurological disorder: Impact on symptom severity and physical health

BACKGROUND

As a group, individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND) report an approximately 3-fold increase in adverse life experiences (ALEs) compared to healthy controls. In patients with FND, studies have identified a positive correlation between symptom severity and the magnitude of ALEs. While not all individuals with FND report ALEs, such findings raise the possibility of a trauma-subtype of FND.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated if patients with FND, with or without probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or significant childhood maltreatment, differed in their symptom severity and physical health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with FND were recruited (functional seizures, n = 34; functional movement disorder, n = 56). Participants completed self-report measures of symptom severity [Somatoform Dissociation Questionniare-20 (SDQ-20), Screening for Somatoform Disorders: Conversion Disorder subscale (SOMS:CD), Patient Health Questionniare-15 (PHQ-15)], physical health [Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF36-physical health)], childhood maltreatment [Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ)], and PTSD [PTSD Checklist-5 (PCL-5)]; a psychometric battery of other common predisposing vulnerabilities was also completed. To adjust for multiple comparisons, a Bonferroni correction was applied to all univariate analyses.

RESULTS

Patients with FND and probable PTSD (n = 33) vs. those without probable PTSD (n = 43) had statistically significant increased scores on all symptom severity measures - as well as decreased physical health scores. In secondary post-hoc regression analyses, these findings remained significant adjusting for age, sex, race, college education, and: pathological dissociation; alexithymia; attachment styles; personality characteristics; resilience scores; functional seizures subtype; or moderate-to-severe childhood abuse and neglect scores; SOMS:CD and SDQ-20 findings also held adjusting for depression and anxiety scores. In a separate set of analyses, patients with FND and moderate-to-severe childhood abuse (n = 46) vs. those without moderate-to-severe childhood abuse (n = 32) showed statistically significant increased SDQ-20 and PHQ-15 scores; in post-hoc regressions, these findings held adjusting for demographic and other variables. Stratification by childhood neglect did not relate to symptom severity or physical health scores.

CONCLUSION

This study provides support for a possible trauma-subtype of FND. Future research should investigate the neurobiological and treatment relevance of a FND trauma-subtype, as well as continuing to delineate clinical characteristics and mechanisms in individuals with FND that lack a history of ALEs.

[Development and content validation of a questionnaire for functional movement disorders]

Von Kriegszitterern zu Teenies mit TikTok-Tics – funktionelle Bewegungsstörungen galten lange als motorischer Ausdruck seelischer Turbulenzen. Tatsächlich werden psychodynamische Modelle jedoch zunehmend durch neurophysiologische Erkenntnisse ergänzt, sodass die Kombination von Psychotherapie mit spezialisierter Physiotherapie an Bedeutung gewinnt. Bislang existiert allerdings kein störungsspezifisches Ergebnismaß, welches patientenrelevante Aspekte dieser vielfältigen Störung adäquat abbildet. Ein erster derartiger Fragebogen wurde entwickelt und in einem mehrstufigen Entwicklungsprozess inhaltlich validiert. Relevanz und Verständlichkeit der Items wurden zuerst durch ein Expertengremium und anschließend durch betroffene Patienten evaluiert und entsprechend angepasst. Der so konstruierte Fragebogen erlaubt erstmals eine inhaltlich valide Quantifizierung der subjektiven Beschwerden und Auswirkungen funktioneller Bewegungsstörungen. Als Nächstes erfolgt eine multizentrische teststatistische Validierung.

Attachment styles, identification of feelings and psychiatric symptoms in functional neurological disorders

OBJECTIVE

The contribution of psychological and psychiatric symptoms in the development of Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) is unclear. We therefore aimed to investigate the role of different attachment styles (AS) and their relationship with psychiatric symptoms in FND patients as compared with both subjects with neurological disorders (ND) and healthy controls (HC); and the possible differences between patients with functional movement disorders (FMD) and with functional seizures.

METHODS

In this case-control study, forty-six patients with FND were compared to 34 with ND and 30 HC, by means of an extensive battery to investigate the presence of alexithymia, depression, anxiety, dissociation and to explore their AS using the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships instrument (ECR-R).

RESULTS

Patients with FND had higher depression and alexithymia as well as an avoidant pattern on the ECR-R than patients with ND. In the FND group, ECR-R avoidance was an independent predictor of psychiatric symptoms and, altogether, ECR-R avoidance, the somatic-affective component of depression and difficulty identifying feelings were independent predictors of FND. Gender, anxiety and difficulty identifying feelings predicted the presence of functional seizures.

CONCLUSION

The avoidant AS may be an important psychological factor influencing the presence of mood disorders and alexithymia. Their co-occurence might drive maladaptive responses underlying the presence of FND. Although we demonstrated a large overlap between FND phenotypes, patients with functional seizures might have higher alexithymia, which in turn could explain a defensive response less anchored to body reactions and physical symptoms.

International online survey of 1048 individuals with functional neurological disorder

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is common, and symptoms can be severe. There have been no international large-scale studies of patient experiences of FND.

METHODS

A patient questionnaire was created to assess FND patient characteristics, symptom comorbidities and illness perceptions. Respondents were recruited internationally through an open access questionnaire via social media and patient groups over a month-long period.

RESULTS

In total, 1048 respondents from 16 countries participated. Mean age was 42 years (86% female). Median FND symptom duration was 5 years, and median time from first symptom to diagnosis was 2 years. Mean number of current symptoms (core FND and associated) was 9.9. Many respondents had associated symptoms, for example fatigue (93%), memory difficulties (80%) and headache (70%). Self-reported psychiatric comorbidities were relatively common (depression, 43%; anxiety, 51%; panic, 20%; and post-traumatic stress disorder, 22%). Most respondents reported that FND had multiple causes, including physical and psychological.

CONCLUSIONS

This large survey adds further evidence that people with FND typically have high levels of multiple symptom comorbidity with resultant distress. It also supports the notion that associated physical symptoms are of particular clinical significance in FND patients. Dualistic ideas of FND were not supported by respondents, who generally preferred to conceptualize the disorder as one at the interface of mind and brain. The need for a broad approach to this poorly served patient group is highlighted. Potential selection and response biases due to distribution of the survey online, mostly via FND patient groups, are a key limitation.

Motor and non-motor outcomes after a rehabilitation program for patients with Functional Motor Disorders: A prospective, observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Rehabilitation has proven effective in improving motor symptoms (i.e., weakness, tremor, gait and balance disorders) in patients with Functional Motor Disorders (FMDs). Its effects on non-motor symptoms (NMSs) such as fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety and alexithymia, have not been explored yet.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of a validated inpatient 5-day rehabilitation program, followed by a home-based self-management plan on functional motor symptoms, NMSs, self-rated perception of change, and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

33 FMD patients were enrolled. Measures for motor symptoms and NMSs were primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included measures of self-perception of change and QoL. Patients were evaluated pre-treatment (T0), post-treatment (T1), and 3-month follow-up (T2).

RESULTS

There was an overall significant decrease in functional motor symptoms, general, physical, and reduced-activity fatigue (for all, p < 0.001). Post hoc comparison showed significant improvements at T1, whereas effects remained significant at T2 for motor symptoms and physical fatigue. Gait and balance, alexithymia, and physical functioning (QoL) significantly improved at T2. More than 50% of patients reported marked improvement at T1 and T2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests the benefits of rehabilitation and self-management plan on functional motor symptoms and physical fatigue in the medium-term. More actions are needed for the management of pain and other distressing NMSs in FMDs.

Effects of home-based exercise on motor, non-motor symptoms and health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

To explore the effect of home-based exercise on motor symptoms (MS), non-motor symptoms (NMS), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

METHODS

This study was a randomized control trial with a convenience sample of 98 PD patients. Data were collected at baseline and interventions after 4 and 8 weeks. The exercise group was instructed to perform 150 min/week of exercise at home; the control group maintained their regular lifestyle. Questionnaires measured MS, NMS, and HRQOL. We also compare compliance and non-compliance subgroups of the exercise group. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to determine the exercise effect of 120 and 150 min per week after testing for exercise times was at six time points (90-140 min).

RESULTS

The exercise (n = 49) and control groups (n = 49) were homogeneous except for disease stage at baseline. Significant differences were found for depression, HRQOL, motor ability, activity of daily living, and fatigue (p < .000) between the exercise and control groups, and also between the compliance and non-compliance subgroups (p < .05). The GEE revealed that exercising 150 min/week significantly improved HRQOL, depression, motor ability, ADL, fatigue, and sleep quality (p < .05), though not anxiety, and exercising 120 min/week was also effective.

CONCLUSIONS

This home-based exercise was effective in improving MS, NMS, and HRQOL. We recommend PD patients to exercise 30-50 min at least three times a week, or 10-15 min per session daily, to accumulate 120-150 min per week.

Fatigue in hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, and functional movement disorders

The emerging science of fatigue has soundly endorsed the need for its unified definition, shared terminology and increased recognition in neurological illnesses. Nevertheless, the real impact of fatigue remains under-recognized. Fatigue describes a sense of tiredness, lack of energy or need for increased effort often perceived as overwhelming, pervasive, and disabling. It is a common feature of chronic medical conditions and neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and other hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, and functional movement disorders (FMD). While there is solid evidence for the burden of fatigue in PD, knowledge of fatigue in other movement disorders (MDS) is still limited. Lack of consensus definition, rigorous measures and the high prevalence of potential confounders such as apathy, depression and sleepiness are the main obstacles in studying fatigue in MDS. This review of the prevalence, impact, and clinical correlates of fatigue in common MDS summarizes current hypotheses for the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying fatigue and gives a brief overview of treatment options. Fatigue is a prevalent, disabling, primary non-motor symptom (NMS) in MDS, including atypical and secondary parkinsonisms, dystonia, essential tremor (ET) and a hallmark feature of FMD. We report the hypothesis that fatigue is a perceptual disorder of the sensorimotor system. Given the relevance of this burdensome symptom, fatigue deserves greater clinical and research attention to better understand its manifestation and pathophysiology and to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Functional pain disorders - more than nociplastic pain

BACKGROUND

Nociplastic pain has been recently introduced as a third mechanistic descriptor of pain arising primarily from alterations of neural processing, in contrast to pain due to tissue damage leading to nociceptor activation (nociceptive) or due to lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system (neuropathic). It is characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia, inconsistency and reversibility, as well as dynamic cross-system interactions with biological and psychobehavioral factors. Along with this renewed understanding, functional pain disorders, also classified as chronic primary pain, are being reframed as biopsychosocial conditions that benefit from multimodal treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the current understanding of nociplastic pain and functional pain disorders, with a focus on conditions that are common in neurology practice.

METHODS

This was a narrative literature review.

RESULTS

Chronic back pain, fibromyalgia syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome are best understood within a biopsychosocial framework of pain perception that considers structural factors (predispositions and sequelae) and psychobehavioral mechanisms. Although pain is often the primary complaint, it should not be the only focus of treatment, as accompanying symptoms such as sleep or mood problems can significantly impact quality of life and offer useful leverage points for multimodal treatment. Analgesic pharmacotherapy is rarely helpful on its own, and should always be imbedded in a multidisciplinary setting.

Outcome Measures for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Review of the Theoretical Complexities

The development and selection of optimal outcome measures is increasingly recognized as a key component of evidence-based medicine, particularly the need for the development of a standardized set of measures for use in clinical trials. This process is particularly complex for functional neurological disorder (FND) for several reasons. FND can present with a wide range of symptoms that resemble the full spectrum of other neurological disorders. Additional physical (e.g., pain, fatigue) and psychological (e.g., depression, anxiety) symptoms are commonly associated with FND, which also can be highly disabling with implications for prognosis, and warrant concurrent assessment, despite an unclear etiological relationship with FND. Furthermore, several unique clinical aspects of FND make it likely that the usual prioritization of "objective" (or clinician-rated) over "subjective" (or patient-rated) measures might not be appropriate. Self-report measures may be more clinically meaningful in this patient population. Despite being a common and disabling disorder, there has been little research into outcome measures in FND, and to date trials have largely used measures designed for the assessment of other disorders. An international FND Core Outcome Measure group (FND-COM) has been established to develop a consensus battery of outcomes for FND: a "core outcome set." In this perspective article, the authors reviewed the process of outcome measure development and selection before considering the specific features of FND affecting the development of a core outcome set, as well as a research agenda to optimize outcome measurement in this complex neuropsychiatric disorder.

Occupational therapy consensus recommendations for functional neurological disorder

BACKGROUND

People with functional neurological disorder (FND) are commonly seen by occupational therapists; however, there are limited descriptions in the literature about the type of interventions that are likely to be helpful. This document aims to address this issue by providing consensus recommendations for occupational therapy assessment and intervention.

METHODS

The recommendations were developed in four stages. Stage 1: an invitation was sent to occupational therapists with expertise in FND in different countries to complete two surveys exploring their opinions regarding best practice for assessment and interventions for FND. Stage 2: a face-to-face meeting of multidisciplinary clinical experts in FND discussed and debated the data from stage 1, aiming to achieve consensus on each issue. Stage 3: recommendations based on the meeting were drafted. Stage 4: successive drafts of recommendations were circulated among the multidisciplinary group until consensus was achieved.

RESULTS

We recommend that occupational therapy treatment for FND is based on a biopsychosocial aetiological framework. Education, rehabilitation within functional activity and the use of taught self-management strategies are central to occupational therapy intervention for FND. Several aspects of occupational therapy for FND are distinct from therapy for other neurological conditions. Examples to illustrate the recommendations are included within this document.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational therapists have an integral role in the multidisciplinary management of people with FND. This document forms a starting point for research aiming to develop evidence-based occupational therapy interventions for people with FND.

Briquet syndrome revisited: implications for functional neurological disorder

With the creation of the Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition in 2013, the functional neurological (symptom) disorder diagnostic criteria underwent transformative changes. These included an emphasis on ‘rule-in’ physical examination signs/semiological features guiding diagnosis and the removal of a required proximal psychological stressor to be linked to symptoms. In addition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition somatization disorder, somatoform pain disorder and undifferentiated somatoform disorder conditions were eliminated and collapsed into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition somatic symptom disorder diagnosis. With somatic symptom disorder, emphasis was placed on a cognitive-behavioural (psychological) formulation as the basis for diagnosis in individuals reporting distressing bodily symptoms such as pain and/or fatigue; the need for bodily symptoms to be ‘medically unexplained’ was removed, and the overall utility of this diagnostic criteria remains debated. A consequence of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition restructuring is that the diagnosis of somatization disorder that encompassed individuals with functional neurological (sensorimotor) symptoms and prominent other bodily symptoms, including pain, was eliminated. This change negatively impacts clinical and research efforts because many patients with functional neurological disorder experience pain, supporting that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition would benefit from an integrated diagnosis at this intersection. We seek to revisit this with modifications, particularly since pain (and a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition somatization disorder comorbidity, more specifically) is associated with poor clinical prognosis in functional neurological disorder. As a first step, we systematically reviewed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition somatization disorder literature to detail epidemiologic, healthcare utilization, demographic, diagnostic, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, psychosocial, neurobiological and treatment data. Thereafter, we propose a preliminary revision to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition allowing for the specifier functional neurological disorder ‘with prominent pain’. To meet this criterion, core functional neurological symptoms (e.g. limb weakness, gait difficulties, seizures, non-dermatomal sensory loss and/or blindness) would have ‘rule-in’ signs and pain (>6 months) impairing social and/or occupational functioning would also be present. Two optional secondary specifiers assist in characterizing individuals with cognitive-behavioural (psychological) features recognized to amplify or perpetuate pain and documenting if there is a pain-related comorbidity. The specifier of ‘with prominent pain’ is etiologically neutral, while secondary specifiers provide additional clarification. We advocate for a similar approach to contextualize fatigue and mixed somatic symptoms in functional neurological disorder. While this preliminary proposal requires prospective data and additional discussion, these revisions offer the potential benefit to readily identify important functional neurological disorder subgroups—resulting in diagnostic, treatment and pathophysiology implications.

Functional neurological disorder 2.0?

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Briquet syndrome revisited: implications for functional neurological disorder’, by Maggio et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaa156)

Management of functional neurological disorder

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of persistent and disabling neurological symptoms. These symptoms are varied and include abnormal control of movement, episodes of altered awareness resembling epileptic seizures and abnormal sensation and are often comorbid with chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive symptoms. There is increasing evidence for the role of neurologists in both the assessment and management of FND. The aim of this review is to discuss strategies for the management of FND by focusing on the diagnostic discussion and general principles, as well as specific treatment strategies for various FND symptoms, highlighting the role of the neurologist and proposing a structure for an interdisciplinary FND service.