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Understanding overlapping causes of movement symptoms

Researchers study people who have functional movement symptoms alongside another movement condition, to better understand their symptoms and care needs.

Learning by observing or collecting information · Study reference: NCT05943652

Plain-language introduction written with AI from the registry; not independently checked by a clinician. Read the original details below ↓

This registry record was last updated over six months ago, or its update date is missing. Recruitment may have changed. Confirm with the team before making plans.

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Start (reported actual date)
2023-01-01
Main measurements finished (planned)
2025-12-31
Study finished (planned)
2026-06-30

Planned dates can move. A study finishing does not tell us when a paper will be published.

No results summary has been confirmed in the registry records we imported. See connected papers below; we keep checking after recruitment ends.

Changes we have recorded
  • 2026-10-11 — recruiting

These are dates we observed a change, not necessarily the dates it happened.

Papers connected to this study

No connected paper has been found yet. The tracker checks the growing library for study identifiers and registry-linked publications.

Who can join?

Ages 18 years to 18 years · Ask the team who can join

These are starting points, not the full rules. The research team can tell you whether the study is right for your situation.

Read all the rules for taking part

Sex eligibility reported by registry: all

Inclusion Criteria: * Functional or non-functional movement disorder * 18 to 80 years Exclusion Criteria: * Patient is not able to consent * Patient is not able to understand / speak German fluently (questionnaires are available only in German)
Full study name & original research details

Official study title

Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of Functional Neurological Disorders in Patients With Movement Disorders - A Cross-sectional Study in the Movement Disorders Clinic of the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz

Short title used by the registry

Observational Study on "Functional Overlay" in Patients With Movement Disorders

Original description

The goal of this observational study is to learn about functional neurological disorders in patients with common non-functional movement disorders ("functional overlay"). The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the frequency of functional neurological disorders in patients with non-functional movement disorders (functional overlay)? * What are the characteristics of functional neurological disorders in patients with non-functional movement disorders? Participants will be examined clinically and electrophysiologically, the examinations consist of: * a neurological examination * neuropsychological testing * electrophysiological tremor diagnostic * questionnaires about psychological, biological and social risk factors Researchers will compare patients with functional motor disorders to patients wit non-functional movement disorders to see if they differ from each other regarding the functional symptoms.

Further description from the registry

Functional neurological disorders (FND) are common neurological disorders that are present in up to 16% of patients in neurological outpatient clinics. They are associated with a significant reduction in quality of life, can lead to permanent impairment, and have a poor prognosis, especially if the diagnosis is delayed. FND have multifactorial causes and risk factors, including psychological stressors, childhood trauma, female gender, psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder, and other functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or chronic pain syndrome. Patients with FND often report additional cognitive complaints ("cognitive fog"). A mismatch of various regulatory mechanisms, a disruption of sensory processing and motor output is assumed to be a central part of the pathogenesis. A characteristic feature of FND is a variability of symptoms according to attention. FND can be intensified by increased attention and weakened by distraction. Positive diagnostic criteria for FND have been established recently, so that by definition FND are no longer a diagnosis of exclusion. The clinical presentations of FND are diverse and include impaired limb movement control, disturbances in vigilance that may be associated with seizures, and non-motor symptoms. FND often coincide and often coexist with pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive disorders. Particularly non-motor functional symptoms are highly debilitating for patients. The coincidence of "organic" neurological disorders and FND in the same patients ("functional overlay") is probably not uncommon, but has been investigated primarily in patients with Parkinson's Disease and epilepsy, so far. However, it is important to recognize FND in patients with movement disorders in order to treat them adequately and to protect them from incorrect treatment (surgery, unnecessary medication, etc.). However, the basic prerequisite for this is an exploration of the frequency and characteristics of the functional symptoms in movement disorders.

Conditions reported: Conversion Disorder; Parkinson Disease; Tremor; Dystonia

Registry records for this study

Records are joined using registration identifiers. Titles alone do not establish that two studies are the same.

Study type
Observational
Interventions
Neurological examination; Anamnesis; Neuropsychological testing; Questionnaires; Tremor recording
Phases
Not reported
Sponsor
Medical University of Graz
Start date reported by registry
2023-01-01 (actual)

Registry updated: 2025-09-29 · Status last verified by the registry submitter: 2025-09

Registry records retrieved 2026-10-13 (UTC). Individual records may have older updates. Recruitment and eligibility must be confirmed with the study team.

Contact the research team

Public study contacts supplied to the registry. Ask whether recruitment is still open and what participation involves.

Daniela Kern, MD · 004331638516051 · daniela.eibl@medunigraz.at

Petra Schwingenschuh, MD · 004331638583379 · petra.schwingenschuh@medunigraz.at

Study locations

Site status can differ from overall study status. “Status not reported” means local availability needs confirmation. Remote participation and travel arrangements must be checked with the team.

Medical University of graz

Graz, Styria, Austria

Recruiting

Daniela Kern, MD · 004331638516051 · daniela.eibl@medunigraz.at

Facility not reported

Austria

Status not reported

The original descriptions and participation rules come from the registry. Participation is voluntary and does not guarantee benefit.