From the Guidelines
For individuals with functional neurological disorders affecting the arms, a comprehensive approach incorporating occupational therapy strategies is crucial to improve symptoms and quality of life. When addressing arm symptoms such as functional tremor, jerks, dystonia, or limb weakness, it's essential to employ a multifaceted strategy.
Key Strategies
- For functional tremor, techniques such as superimposing alternative rhythms, using the unaffected limb to dictate a new rhythm, and assisting the person to relax the muscles in the limb can be beneficial 1.
- Functional jerks can be addressed by identifying and managing pre-jerk cognitions and movements, utilizing relaxation techniques, and encouraging slow movement activities like yoga or tai chi 1.
- In cases of dystonia, promoting optimal postural alignment, even distribution of weight, and graded activity to increase the use of the affected limb within functional activities is recommended 1.
- For functional limb weakness, engaging the person in tasks that promote normal movement, good alignment, and even weight-bearing, such as transfers, sit to stand, and using the hand to stabilize objects, can be helpful 1.
Additional Considerations
- Anxiety management and distraction techniques can be useful when undertaking tasks to help manage symptoms 1.
- Video recording interventions can demonstrate changeability, highlight successes, and act as a reference point for replication of strategies outside of therapy 1.
- The use of splinting should be approached with caution, considering potential harms such as increased attention to the area, accessory muscle use, compensatory movement strategies, immobilization, learnt non-use, and increased pain 1.
Recommendations
Prioritizing strategies that encourage normal movement patterns and resting postures before considering splinting is advisable. If a splint is used, regular monitoring and empowerment of the individual to discontinue use in case of adverse effects are necessary 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Arms Overview
- The term "arms" can refer to the upper limbs of the human body, which include the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands.
- In the context of the provided studies, there is no direct mention of the term "arms" as it relates to the human body.
Related Conditions
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that affects the blood flow to the limbs, including the arms and legs 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that affects the wrist and hand, which are part of the arm 6.
- The studies provided focus on the treatment and management of PAD and CTS, rather than the arms specifically.
Treatment and Management
- Antiplatelet therapy, such as aspirin, is commonly used to treat PAD 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and anticoagulant therapy may also be used in certain cases of PAD 3, 4, 5.
- For CTS, treatment options include wrist splinting, change of working position, medications, and surgery 6.
Key Findings
- Low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin has been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular and limb outcomes in patients with PAD 4.
- The combination of rivaroxaban and aspirin has been found to be superior to aspirin alone in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events in PAD patients 4.
- Antithrombotic therapy, including antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents, plays a crucial role in the management of PAD 2, 3, 4, 5.