Attention and postural control in patients with conversion paresis.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Motor Control

Background:

• Conversion disorder (CD) motor symptoms are theorized to stem from heightened self-monitoring and cognitive control.
• Understanding the role of attention in motor control is crucial for CD research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that conversion disorder motor symptoms involve excessive cognitive control of movements.
• To investigate the impact of attention manipulations on postural control in CD patients.

Main Methods:

• Assessed postural stability in 12 CD patients and controls using a force platform during quiet standing.
• Manipulated attention by varying visual input (eyes open/closed) and introducing a cognitive distraction task.

Main Results:

• CD patients showed greater postural instability with eyes closed compared to eyes open.
• Cognitive distraction normalized postural balance in CD patients.
• Balance changes correlated with trauma and dissociative symptoms in CD patients.

Conclusions:

• Attention significantly influences postural control in conversion disorder.
• CD patients may excessively and inadvertently control automatic motor tasks.
• Attentional distraction offers a potential avenue for therapeutic interventions in CD.