Rest tremor in dystonia: epidemiology, differential diagnosis, and pathophysiology

The most common type of tremor reported in dystonia patients is postural and kinetic. There is uncertainty regarding the prevalence of rest tremor in dystonia.

This review focuses on the clinical and neurophysiological features of rest tremor in dystonia, its differential diagnosis, and methods to distinguish it from other rest tremor syndromes.

A PubMed search was done, and the available literature identified. Bibliography of the available literature was reviewed for relevant references.

Rest tremor in dystonia has been reported with a variable frequency of 1.81-12.05%. The most common body distribution is arm, and it tends to be asymmetric. Most of the affected patients have multifocal and segmental dystonia. Rest tremor is a late-onset phenomenon associated with severe and spreading dystonia. Clinically, it is difficult to distinguish rest tremor in dystonia from other rest tremor syndromes based on tremor characteristics; however, other neurological signs can provide clues to differentiate these syndromes. Surface electromyography and other neurophysiological tests can help differentiate the various rest tremor syndromes.

Rest tremor in dystonia can be differentiated from other rest tremor syndromes based on neurophysiological techniques. There is some evidence to suggest that SWEDDs could be a form of dystonic tremor, but further studies are required to clarify this diagnostic dilemma. Data regarding the treatment of rest tremor in dystonia are virtually nonexistent, and there is an urgent need for prospective studies focusing its medical management and to know the surgical targets.