Page 95 - JCBP-3-1

Journal of Clinical and

Basic Psychosomatics

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Functional neurological movement

disorders: Neuroimaging findings and methods
of treatment

2
1
Peter Arlien-Søborg 1 , Hans-Henrik Olsen , Josefin Agergaard ,
3
Jørgen Borup Hansen , and Bent Rosenbaum *
3,4
1 Department of Neurology, State University Hospital, Denmark
2 State University Hospital, Clinic for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Denmark
3 Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
4 Psychiatric Center Copenhagen & Institute of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Abstract

Results of neuroimaging can provide information concerning the cause of functional
motor disorders. In this paper, we review the most important of these neuroimaging
investigations indicating changes in activation patterns in several brain regions
relevant to motor control. A new combined treatment approach has demonstrated
more promising results than previous attempts where either psychological or
*Corresponding author: physiotherapeutic interventions have been used. When physiotherapy focusing
Bent Rosenbaum(bent. on relearning appropriate movement patterns is combined with psychodynamic
rosenbaum@dadlnet.dk)
psychotherapy, including personally adapted psychoeducation, the results are
Citation: Arlien-Søborg P, convincing and most often long-lasting. Few cases with relapse show remission after
Olsen H, Agergaard J, Hansen JB,
Rosenbaum B. Functional undergoing only a few additional sessions of this new treatment modality. Three cases
neurological movement disorders: presented in this paper illustrate such courses post-treatment, lending credence to
Neuroimaging findings and the potential existence of a dialectic interaction between mind and brain processes.
methods of treatment. J Clin Basic
Psychosom. 2025;3(1):89-97. The cases underline the importance of a therapeutic alliance and the ability of the
doi: 10.36922/jcbp.4369 therapist to let painful emotional material emerge and be understood, all based on
Received: July 29, 2024 confidence between the patient and the treating team.
1st revised: October 30, 2024
Keywords: Conversion disorders; Functional motor dysfunctions; Emotions;
2nd revised: November 19, 2024
Neuroimaging; Treatment
Accepted: December 2, 2024
Published Online: December 18,
2024
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). 1. Introduction
This is an Open-Access article Functional neurological symptoms are defined as symptoms that cannot be explained
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution by known neurological or medical disorders. The most common manifestations
License, permitting distribution, include tremors, dystonia, paresis, and uncharacteristic gait disturbances, but speech
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is problems, sensory symptoms, and even blindness may form part of the clinical picture.
properly cited. The presence of positive diagnostic findings such as Hoover’s sign and diminishing
Publisher’s Note: AccScience symptoms during distraction is important for the diagnosis of functional movement
Publishing remains neutral with disorder (FMD). Individuals with FMD often have a previous history of physical or
1
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional mental traumas but without premorbid or present psychiatric disorders detected
affiliations. through a systematic diagnostic approach. Each of the FMD patients is associated
2
Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 89 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.4369