Characteristics of Sensory Trick Maneuvers in Idiopathic Oromandibular Jaw Opening Dystonia

Objective: We have attempted to evaluate the efficacy of different sensory trick manoeuvres in oromandibular dystonia (OMD). Background: Jaw opening OMD is a form of focal dystonia involving lower facial, labial, lingual as well as pterygoid and submental muscles resulting in unvoluntary muscle spasms especially during speaking. As in other forms of dystonia, symptoms may be alleviated by several sensory trick manoeuvres (e.g., biting on a toothpick) although hitherto only little is known about the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods: In this study we systematically examined a homogeneous group of…