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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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Measuring and Manipulating Functionally Specific Neural Pathways in the Human Motor System with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: February 23, 2020
[Transcranial magnetic stimulation for psychogenic tremor - a pilot study]
M Dafotakis1, M Ameli, F Vitinius
1Neurologische Klinik, Universitätsklinik der RWTH Aachen, Aachen. MDafotakis@ukaachen.de
Fortschritte Der Neurologie-Psychiatrie
|April 12, 2011
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) effectively diagnosed psychogenic tremor, reduced symptom severity, and improved patient insight. This pilot study highlights TMS as a valuable tool for managing this common psychogenic movement disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Psychogenic tremor, the most common psychogenic movement disorder, often has a poor prognosis.
- Patient insight into the psychogenic nature of the disorder is crucial for treatment success.
- Established diagnostic criteria for psychogenic tremor exist but require high certainty.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in diagnosing and managing psychogenic tremor.
- To assess TMS's ability to confirm the diagnosis with certainty.
- To determine if TMS can modulate tremor severity and enhance patient insight into the condition's psychogenic origin.
Summary:
- Eleven patients with psychogenic tremor underwent TMS targeting the primary motor cortex.
- The procedure significantly reduced tremor frequency, aiding in diagnosis confirmation.
- TMS also led to symptom relief, with lasting effects in some patients, and facilitated insight into the psychogenic nature of their condition.
Impact:
- TMS provides a reliable method for diagnosing psychogenic hand tremor with high certainty.
- The technique can modulate tremor severity, offering symptomatic relief.
- Facilitating patient insight through TMS is a key step toward successful psychotherapy adherence for conversion disorder.
