Psychogenic Gait Disorder

In a retrospective study of psychogenic movement disorder, gait disturbance was common and often characterized by excessive slowness.

The clinical picture of a psychogenic movement disorder (PMD) can be complex, with dystonic, myoclonic, tremor-like, or other aspects. What does a psychogenic disturbance of gait look like? These authors report on 279 cases of PMD assessed by chart review (with and without video records). They divide their sample into two main groups: those with normal gait (58%) and those with “psychogenic gait disorder” (PGD, 42%).

In 86% of the PGD group, a gait abnormality accompanied other adventitious movements; the remaining 14% exhibited pure PGD. The gait abnormalities were diverse, including slowing, dystonic postures, astasia-abasia (an inability to remain standing, despite normal supine leg testing), knee-buckling, “tightrope walking,” and the no…

Reviewing Author

Edison Miyawaki, MD