In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), motor disturbances are common and cause significant disability. Although motor dysfunction is a well known and often described characteristic of CRPS, the... Show moreIn complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), motor disturbances are common and cause significant disability. Although motor dysfunction is a well known and often described characteristic of CRPS, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This thesis aimed to obtain a better understanding of the pathophysiology underpinning the motor dysfunction in CRPS. First, a quantitative analysis of the motor disturbances was performed, and subsequently its relation to pain intensity was examined. Next, we evaluated the effects of botulinum toxin in muscles of a subgroup of CRPS patients suffering from abnormal posturing. Also, circadian temperature regulation and its variation during long-term registration in affected and unaffected extremities of chronic CRPS patients was examined. Furthermore, a literature review was performed to research the origin and change in meaning over time of akinesia, bradykinesia and hypokinesia, terms that are frequently used to describe disturbances of motor function in movement disorders in general. Show less
Schilder, J.C.M.; Niehof, S.P.; Marinus, J.; Hilten, J.J. van 2015
