Long-term (seven-year) follow-up of sensory-motor rehabilitation therapy for task-specific focal hand dystonia

Background: Medical treatments for task-specific dystonia (TSD) often have limited long-term success, leading to interest in rehabilitative approaches. Our previous feasibility study supported the acceptability and short-term benefits of sensory-motor rehabilitation for a cohort of 12 individuals. Long-term outcomes remain unknown. Purpose: Investigate the long-term (7 year) follow-up of clinical outcomes and treatment effectiveness in participants with TSD who engaged in our previous feasibility study. Study Design: Follow-up study. Methods: Online surveys and telephone interviews were undertaken at 1 and 7 years. A telephone interview was completed at 7 years. Results: All 12 participants (seven musicians dystonia, five writing dystonia) who had completed the original feasibility study took part. All showed improvements in clinical outcomes at one and 7 years (effect sizes 0.25-0.93). Interviews and surveys indicated continued use of effective rehabilitation strategies 7 years after completing the program. Discussion: Following treatment, people continue to use rehabilitative strategies, perceived by them as effective, with sustained benefits across varying domains for up to 7 years. Conclusions: Benefits of sensory-motor rehabilitation can be sustained. The underlying mechanisms of these changes require investigation.