Functional disorders as a common motor manifestation of COVID-19 infection or vaccination

There have been over 500 million confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), across the globe. To date, a broad spectrum of neurological manifestations following acute infections as well as COVID-19 vaccines have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe the spectrum of neurological manifestations seen in the 'COVID-19 clinic' established in a tertiary Movement Disorders clinic.

In this consecutive case-series study over the period March 2020-January 2022, clinical information regarding demographic data, clinical history and examination findings, investigation results and video recordings of outpatients with motor manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection or vaccination were reviewed.

Twenty-one adult patients were reviewed in this ad hoc clinic at Toronto Western Hospital. The majority of the patients were female (76%) and the mean (range) age was 50.7 ± 17.2 (21-80) years. Nine patients (43%) presented with motor manifestations following COVID-19 infection. Twelve patients (57%) developed neurological symptoms following at least one dose of the mRNA or viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccine. The most common manifestation observed was a functional movement disorder (43%). The vaccine group demonstrated a higher number of functional disorders compared to the infection group (58% vs. 22%; p = 0.08).

Functional motor manifestations can be associated with COVID-19 and are likely to be under-reported. In view of the co-existence of functional symptoms, movement disorders and mental health conditions observed in this study, we would advocate the use of dedicated COVID-19 Neurology clinics with full access to an experienced multidisciplinary team.