Management of Writer’s Cramp

Abstract

Writer's Cramp is a functional motor disorder classified as an occupational neurosis included under ICD-9 and under Other specified neurotic disorders of uncertain etiology in ICD-10. It is exhibited while writing in the form of spasms, in-coordination, pain, stiffness , and tension in muscles of fingers and hand of the writing arm; often spreading to lower and upper arm and subsequently to shoulder girdle. In India it has been reported to be 5.4 per thousand among office workers in urban settings. It has been treated differently by neurologists, psychiatrics and psychologists depending upon their views on its genesis. Psychological intervention tends to involve therapeutic packages ranging from 20 to 50 sessions with elements from relaxation, conditioning, reinforcement schedules and 'supinator' writing with abstinence from writing during the implementation of regime. The present paper discusses the successful treatment of writer's cramp with brief cognitive behavior management without any restrictions on writing