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Motor conversion disorder. A prospective 2- to 5-year follow-up study
1Department of Neurology, Umeå University, Sweden. michael.binzer@adr.dk
Psychosomatics
|November 20, 1998
Summary
Most patients with motor conversion disorder recover, but personality disorders and hopelessness predict poor outcomes. Neurological rediagnosis was not observed in this follow-up study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Motor conversion disorder is a complex condition affecting neurological function.
- Previous follow-up studies have yielded varied results regarding patient recovery and rediagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively assess psychiatric and demographic variables in motor conversion disorder patients.
- To identify predictors of long-term outcome in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective assessment of 30 patients with motor conversion disorder.
- Follow-up reassessment conducted 2 to 5 years after initial assessment.
- Analysis of psychiatric variables, demographic data, and specific scales (DSM-IV Axis V, Beck's Hopelessness Scale).
Main Results:
- High recovery rate: 19 patients fully recovered, 8 improved.
- No patients received a neurological rediagnosis.
- Poor outcome predictors included personality disorder (especially Cluster C), comorbid somatic disease, low functioning (DSM-IV Axis V), and high hopelessness (Beck's Scale).
Conclusions:
- Motor conversion disorder demonstrates a favorable prognosis for most patients.
- Specific psychological and somatic factors are associated with poorer long-term outcomes.
- Neurological rediagnosis is uncommon in long-term follow-up of conversion disorder.