Neuropsychological Triggering Factors in Musicians with Focal Dystonia

Numerous studies suggest that dysfunctional basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits are involved in both movement disorders and psychiatric impairments. The current exploratory investigation explored possible psychological differences, firstly between 24 healthy musicians (HM) and 24 musicians diagnosed with focal dystonia (FDM) (Study I), and secondly among 35 FDM patients only (Study II). Results revealed that FDM patients are six times more likely to exhibit elevated anxiety, perfectionistic and stress characteristics than HM. These psychological conditions might contribute as aggravating risk factors to the development of FDM. However, half of the FDM patients did not demonstrate any signs of anxiety, perfectionism or stress. The findings point to the clear existence of two different psychological profiles among FDM patients. We suggest that this psychological distinction might reflect two different maladaptive processes mediated via different circuits of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamicloops. The new classification of FDM patients will contribute to the reinforcement of the diagnostic repertoire, necessary for the selection of more specific treatment methods.