Physician Approaches to the Pharmacologic Treatment of Dystonia in Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood-onset motor disability and the most common condition associated with dystonia in young people.1,2 Dystonia is a debilitating movement disorder characterized by overflow muscle activation triggered by attempted voluntary movement.2,3 It is unclear which, if any, medications used to treat dystonia in CP are effective.3 To determine the effectiveness of existing medications for dystonia in CP,4 we must first establish which medications are currently used. In this study, we queried how physicians approach pharmacologic dystonia treatment in people with CP.