Auditory Grip Force Feedback in the Treatment of Writer's Cramp

Study Design: Pre-post, single-group. Introduction: Writer's cramp (WC) is a focal dystonia causing impairments in daily life. Behavioral treatment approaches have been shown to improve handwriting performance, though outcomes remain sub-optimal. Purpose of the Study: To examine the effects of the handwriting training and auditory grip force feedback in seven patients with WC. Methods: Handwriting performance was examined before and after treatment. Writing frequency, fluency, and pressure were recorded with a digitizing tablet and grip forces during handwriting were recorded. Subjective writing performance and pain were rated on visual analog scales. Results: The treatment resulted in significant reductions in writing pressure and pain, while writing performance was significantly improved. Conclusions: Patients in this study with WC, who exhibit grip force and pressure problems, benefit from feedback-supported handwriting training. Level of Evidence: 4.