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Writing tremor: its relationship to benign essential tremor
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|June 1, 1985
Summary
This study investigated isolated tremors, finding that writing tremor and golf swing tremor may be variants of benign essential tremor. Treatment with alcohol or propranolol showed improvement in some patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Isolated action tremors, such as writing tremor, are often clinically distinct.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of these tremors is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features of patients with isolated writing tremor or golf swing tremor.
- To investigate the potential relationship between these tremors and benign essential tremor.
Main Methods:
- Investigated ten patients with isolated tremors (nine writing, one golf swing).
- Assessed tremor frequency and response to passive forearm manipulation.
- Evaluated the effects of alcohol and propranolol on tremor severity.
Main Results:
- Tremor frequency ranged from 5 to 6 Hz.
- Passive forearm rotation evoked tremor in seven patients.
- Six patients showed improvement with alcohol or propranolol.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that writing tremor and isolated action tremors may represent a variant of benign essential tremor.
- Pharmacological response to alcohol and propranolol supports this classification.