Taakspecifieke focale dystonie bij musici

Task-specific focal dystonia in musicians Task-specific focal dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary contractions during a specific activity. In musicians, the abnormal movement can occur while playing an instrument or while singing. The muscle contractions are usually painless, but the function of the affected region is disturbed. The clinical picture occurs more in men than in women and is most frequent in pianists or guitarists. The abnormality is usually localized in the fingers, the hands or the entire arm. Drummers can have problems in the lower limbs. Brass and woodwind players can lose control of the lips, tongue or facial muscles. This is called “embouchure dystonia”. Singers suffer from the larynx. The diagnosis is a clinical diagnosis. It is important to observe the musician making music. Outside the musical activity, all tests are normal. Technical examinations can be useful to rule out other diagnoses. The therapy is difficult and often unsatisfactory. In many cases, the disease predicts the end of the musical career.