Movement - dysfunctional

Definition:

Dysfunctional movement is the loss of ability to do learned motor tasks.

Alternative Names:

Inability to perform useful movements; Dysfunctional movements; Apraxia

Considerations:

The extent and location of the neurological lesion will determine the severity and duration of this fairly uncommon symptom.

Apraxia occurs in many forms including a failure to understand the use of an object, inability to use an object or perform a task, inability to do something because of forgetting the command, or the inability to control speech muscles and speak understandably.

Common Causes:

Dementia
Stroke
Hemodialysis (prolonged)
Neurodegenerative illness
Brain tumor

Home Care:

Safety measures should be taken to compensate for weakness, confusion, sensory deficiencies, or seizures that may accompany this problem. Participation in normal activities is encouraged.

Extreme patience should be exercised with people who suffer from apraxia. Take time to demonstrate tasks and allow sufficient time for the afflicted person to perform the task. Avoid complex directions.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if there is unexplained and persistent lack of ability to do simple, routine acts.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. If there are seizures, the patient will be stabilized first.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

Do you undergo hemodialysis (for chronic kidney failure)?
What other symptoms are also present? Especially, is there:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory loss
- Weakness or paralysis of any body part
- Numbness or tingling of any body part
- Seizures

The physical examination will include emphasis on examination of the nervous system.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

CT scan or MRI of the head or affected area
Blood tests
Lumbar puncture
X-ray

Referral to a physical therapist and sometimes an occupational therapist may be indicated.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of dysfunctional movement, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Review Date: 7/30/2001
Reviewed By: Galit Kleiner-Fisman, M.D., FRCP(C), Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.