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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Measurement & Analysis of the Temporal Discrimination Threshold Applied to Cervical Dystonia
Published on: January 27, 2018
Adaptation of feedforward movement control is abnormal in patients with cervical dystonia and tremor
Laura Avanzino1, Andrea Ravaschio2, Giovanna Lagravinese3
1Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico per l'Oncologia.
Objective:
It is under debate whether the cerebellum plays a role in dystonia pathophysiology and in the expression of clinical phenotypes. We investigated a typical cerebellar function (anticipatory movement control) in patients with cervical dystonia (CD) with and without tremor.
Methods:
Twenty patients with CD, with and without tremor, and 17 healthy controls were required to catch balls of different load: 15 trials with a light ball, 25 trials with a heavy ball (adaptation) and 15 trials with a light ball (post-adaptation). Arm movements were recorded using a motion capture system. We evaluated: (i) the anticipatory adjustment (just before the impact); (ii) the extent and rate of the adaptation (at the impact) and (iii) the aftereffect in the post-adaptation phase.
Results:
The anticipatory adjustment was reduced during adaptation in CD patients with tremor respect to CD patients without tremor and controls. The extent and rate of adaptation and the aftereffect in the post-adaptation phase were smaller in CD with tremor than in controls and CD without tremor.
Conclusion:
Patients with cervical dystonia and tremor display an abnormal predictive movement control.
Significance:
Our findings point to a possible role of cerebellum in the expression of a clinical phenotype in dystonia.
