Psychology Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Name of Symptom/Sign:
Muscle spasm
[[Image:{{{Image}}}|190px|center|]]
ICD-10 R252
ICD-O: {{{ICDO}}}
ICD-9 728.85
OMIM {{{OMIM}}}
MedlinePlus {{{MedlinePlus}}}
eMedicine {{{eMedicineSubj}}}/{{{eMedicineTopic}}}
DiseasesDB {{{DiseasesDB}}}

A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ, or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice. It is sometimes accompanied by a sudden burst of pain, but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes. Spasmodic muscle contraction may also be due to a large number of medical conditions, however, including the dystonias.

By extension, a spasm is also a sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.

CBell1809

Muscle spasms in a patient suffering from tetanus (1809)

A subtype of spasms is colic, an episodic pain due to spasms of smooth muscle in a particular organ (e.g. the bile duct). A characteristic of colic is the sensation of having to move about, and the pain may induce nausea or vomiting if severe. Series of spasms or permanent spasms are called a spasmism.

In very severe cases, the spasm can induce muscular contractions that are more forceful than the sufferer could generate under normal circumstances. This can lead to torn tendons and ligaments.

Some argue that hysterical strength is a type of spasm induced by the brain under extreme circumstances.

See also[]

References[]

  • Andreadou, E., Kattoulas, E., Sfagos, C., & Vassilopoulos, D. (2007). Stiff person syndrome: Avoiding misdiagnosis: Neurological Sciences Vol 28(1) Mar 2007, 35-37.
  • Baldanza, S., & De Gennaro, L. (2002). Middle ear muscle activity during sleep: A critical review of the literature: Rassegna di Psicologia Vol 19(1) 2002, 55-71.
  • Brandt, G. (1980). Symbolism and symptoms: From the analysis of a work-related impairment: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie Vol 29(3) Apr 1980, 79-83.
  • Broocks, A., Thiel, A., Angerstein, D., & Dressler, D. (1998). Higher prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with blepharospasm than in patients with hemifacial spasm: American Journal of Psychiatry Vol 155(4) Apr 1998, 555-557.
  • Butler, P. E., & Salamy, A. (1975). Eliminating a conditioned muscle spasm by external inhibition by an electric vibrator: Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry Vol 6(2) Aug 1975, 159-161.
  • Cardoso, E., Pedreira, G., Prazeres, A., Ribeiro, N., & Melo, A. (2007). Does botulinum toxin improve the function of the patient with spasticity after stroke? : Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria Vol 65(3-A) Sep 2007, 592-595.
  • Cathebras, P. (1994). Neurasthenia, spasmophilia and chronic fatigue syndromes in France: Transcultural Psychiatric Research Review Vol 31(3) 1994, 259-270.
  • Cleeland, C. S. (1973). Behavioral technics in the modification of spasmodic torticollis: Neurology Vol 23(11) Nov 1973, 1241-1247.
  • Conrad, P. L. (1985). The hypnotic treatment of a case of intention tremor and muscle spasm: Australian Journal of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis Vol 13(2) Nov 1985, 121-128.
  • Cunningham, M., Cunningham, K., & Lydiard, R. B. (1990). Eye tics and subjective hearing impairment during fluoxetine therapy: American Journal of Psychiatry Vol 147(7) Jul 1990, 947-948.
  • De Benedittis, G. (1996). Hypnosis and spasmodic torticollis--report of four cases: A brief communication: International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis Vol 44(4) Oct 1996, 292-306.
  • De Gennaro, L., Ferrara, M., & Bertini, M. (2000). Muscle twitch activity during REM sleep: Effect of sleep deprivation and relation with rapid eye movement activity: Psychobiology Vol 28(3) Sep 2000, 432-436.
  • Despres, C., Beuter, A., Vadeboncoeur, R., & de Geoffroy, A. (2000). Neuromotor microalterations in subjects with spasmophilia symptoms: A preliminary study: Brain and Cognition Vol 43(1-3) Jun-Aug 2000, 143-147.
  • Dressnandt, J., & Conrad, B. (1996). Lasting reduction of severe spasticity after ending chronic treatment with intrathecal baclofen: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Vol 60(2) Feb 1996, 168-173.
  • Dunn, M. E., Davis, J., & Webster, J. (1980). Muscle spasticity: Voluntary control with EMG biofeedback in quadriplegic patients: American Journal of Clinical Biofeedback Vol 3(1) Spr-Sum 1980, 5-10.
  • Dzoljic, M. R., Van der Lely, A. J., & Van Mourik, J. B. (1979). Enkephalin-induced myoclonic twitches blocked by ergometrine and potentiated by haloperidol: Psychopharmacology Vol 66(2) Nov 1979, 111-116.
  • Evans, E. (1993). Treating the psychological consequences of blepharospasm with relaxation and hypnosis: Dissertation Abstracts International.
  • Faulstich, M. E., Carnrike, C. L., & Williamson, D. A. (1985). Blepharospasm and Meige syndrome: A review of diagnostic, aetiological and treatment approaches: Journal of Psychosomatic Research Vol 29(1) 1985, 89-94.
  • Felicio, A. C., de Godeiro, C., Jr., Borges, V., de Azevedo Silva, S. M., & Ferraz, H. B. (2008). Young onset Hemifacial Spasm in patients with Chiari type I malformation: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Vol 14(1) Jan 2008, 66-68.
  • Fogel, S. (1976). Psychogenic tremor and asomatognosia: American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Vol 19(1) Jul 1976, 57-61.
  • Francisco, G. E. (2001). Intrathecal baclofen therapy for stroke-related spasticity: Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation Vol 8(1) Spr 2001, 36-46.
  • Francisco, G. E., Hu, M. M., Boake, C., & Ivanhoe, C. B. (2005). Efficacy of early use of intrathecal baclofen therapy for treating spastic hypertonia due to acquired brain injury: Brain Injury Vol 19(5) May 2005, 359-364.
  • Freitag, F. G. (2003). Preventative Treatment for Migraine and Tension-Type Headaches: Do Drugs Having Effects on Muscle Spasm and Tone Have a Role? : CNS Drugs Vol 17(6) 2003, 373-381.
  • Gehlen, W., & Eisenlohr, J. J. (1975). Methods for recording and quantitative measurement of rigidity and spasticity: Fortschritte der Neurologie, Psychiatrie und ihrer Grenzgebiete Vol 43(7) Jul 1975, 329-341.
  • Geisler, P., Meier-Ewert, K., & Matsubayshi, K. (1987). Rapid eye movements, muscle twitches and sawtooth waves in the sleep of narcoleptic patients and controls: Electroencephalography & Clinical Neurophysiology Vol 67(6) Dec 1987, 499-507.
  • Georgui, M. M. (1988). Writer's cramp in a deaf 12-year-old girl: A conversion reaction? : British Journal of Psychiatry Vol 152 Mar 1988, 414-416.
  • Greenberg, D. (1983). Writer's cramp: A habit for reversal? : Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry Vol 14(3) Sep 1983, 233-239.
  • Griebel, G., Perrault, G., Simiand, J., Cohen, C., Granger, P., Depoortere, H., et al. (2003). SL651498, a GABA-sub(A) Receptor Agonist with Subtype-Selective Efficacy as a Potential Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: CNS Drug Reviews Vol 9(1) Spr 2003, 3-20.
  • Gundel, H., & Ceballos-Baumann, A. O. (2002). "Social phobia in spasmodic torticollis: Some conceptual issues": Author's reply: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Vol 73(4) Oct 2002, 461-462.
  • Gundel, H., Wolf, A., Xidara, V., Busch, R., & Ceballos-Baumann, A. O. (2001). Social phobia in spasmodic torticollis: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Vol 71(4) Oct 2001, 499-504.
  • Hardoy, M. C., Hardoy, M. J., Carta, M. G., & Cabras, P. L. (1999). Gabapentin as a promising treatment for antipsychotic-induced movement disorders in schizoaffective and bipolar patients: Journal of Affective Disorders Vol 54(3) Aug 1999, 315-317.
  • Hayashi, T., Furutani, M., Taniyama, J., Kiyasu, M., & et al. (1997). Meige syndrome after long-term neuroleptic therapy: The possible involvement of dopamine D-sub-1 receptor abnormality: Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental Vol 12(3) May-Jun 1997, 278-279.
  • Herman, J. H., & Lange, M. L. (1999). Seating and positioning to manage spasticity after brain injury: NeuroRehabilitation Vol 12(2) 1999, 105-117.
  • Holst, J. (1983). Hypnotic treatment in the levator ani spasm syndrome: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology Vol 2(2) Jun 1983, 111-115.
  • Inman, D. P. (1977). Using biofeedback to establish stimulus control in spastic muscles: Dissertation Abstracts International.
  • James, R. J. (1983). Acute effects of instrumental augmented feedback on self-control and automaticity of postural tremor associated with local muscle fatigue: Behavioral Engineering Vol 8(4) 1983, 138-145.
  • Jankovic, J., Tsui, J., & Bergeron, C. (2007). Prevalence of cervical dystonia and spasmodic torticollis in the United States general population: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Vol 13(7) Oct 2007, 411-416.
  • Jones, G. E., Massong, S. R., & Buckley, M. F. (1983). Treatment of spasmodic torticollis through spasm control and muscle reeducation: A case study: Behavior Therapy Vol 14(1) Jan 1983, 178-184.
  • Karadeniz, D., Ondze, B., Besset, A., & Billiard, M. (2000). Are periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) responsible for sleep disruption in insomnia patients? : European Journal of Neurology Vol 7(3) May 2000, 331-336.
  • Kohyama, J., Ohinata, J., & Hasegawa, T. (2001). Disturbance of phasic chin muscle activity during rapid-eye-movement sleep: Brain & Development Vol 23(Suppl1) Dec 2001, S104-S107.
  • Kohyama, J., Shimohira, M., Tanuma, N., Hasegawa, T., & Iwakawa, Y. (2000). ACTH activates rapid eye movement-related phasic inhibition during REM sleep in patients with infantile spasms: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Vol 101(3) Mar 2000, 145-152.
  • Korczyn, A. D., & Goldberg, G. J. (1972). Intravenous diazepam in drug-induced dystonic reactions: British Journal of Psychiatry Vol 121(560) Jul 1972, 75-77.
  • Kraus, H. (1977). Triggerpoints and acupuncture: Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research Vol 2(3-4) 1977, 323-328.
  • Launay, C., & Fischer, V. (1975). An example of a diagnostic trap in juvenile anorexia nervosa: A report of 3 cases of cardioplasm: Revue de Neuropsychiatrie Infantile et d'Hygiene Mentale de l'Enfance Vol 23(3-4) Mar-Apr 1975, 185-189.
  • Lichstein, K. L., Eakin, T. L., & Dunn, M. E. (1986). Combined psychological and medical treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia: Clinical Biofeedback & Health: An International Journal Vol 9(1) Spr-Sum 1986, 9-14.
  • Loh, L.-M., Hum, A. Y. M., Teoh, H.-L., & Lim, E. C. H. (2005). Graves' disease associated with spasmodic truncal flexion: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Vol 11(2) Mar 2005, 117-119.
  • Mathur, C. N., Sharma, M., & Likhari, P. (1986). Progressive muscle relaxation in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea: Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology Vol 13(1) Mar 1986, 69-70.
  • McMonagle, P., Hutchinson, M., & Lawlor, B. (2006). Hereditary spastic paraparesis and psychosis: European Journal of Neurology Vol 13(8) Aug 2006, 874-879.
  • Medd, D. Y. (1999). A single-case study of generalized dystonia and hypnosis, with unexpected immobility and an untoward effect: Contemporary Hypnosis Vol 16(1) 1999, 45-48.
  • Menon, M. K., Kodama, C. K., Kling, A. S., & Fitten, J. (1986). An in vivo pharmacological method for the quantitative evaluation of the central effects of alpha-sub-1 adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists: Neuropharmacology Vol 25(5) May 1986, 503-508.
  • Nicolson, P., & Anderson, P. (2001). The psychosocial impact of spasticity-related problems for people with multiple sclerosis: A focus group study: Journal of Health Psychology Vol 6(5) Sep 2001, 551-567.
  • Ortega, D. F. (1978). Relaxation exercise with cerebral palsied adults showing spasticity: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Vol 11(4) Win 1978, 447-451.
  • Ostensjo, S., Carlberg, E. B., & Vollestad, N. K. (2004). Motor impairments in young children with cerebral palsy: Relationship to gross motor function and everyday activities: Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology Vol 46(9) Sep 2004, 580-589.
  • Ozer, K., Chesher, S. P., & Scheker, L. R. (2006). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and dynamic bracing for the management of upper-extremity spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology Vol 48(7) Jul 2006, 559-563.
  • Paap, K. R. (1976). Perceptual consequences of post-tetanic-potentiation: An alternative explanation for adaptation to wedge prisms: Dissertation Abstracts International.
  • Paulson, G. W., & Barnes, J. (1988). Oral facial dystonia triggered by speech: Psychosomatics: Journal of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Vol 29(2) Spr 1988, 236-238.
  • Peck, D. F. (1977). The use of EMG feedback in the treatment of a severe case of blepharospasm: Biofeedback & Self Regulation Vol 2(3) Sep 1977, 273-277.
  • Pessah, M. A., & Roffwarg, H. P. (1972). Spontaneous middle ear muscle activity in man: A rapid eye movement sleep phenomenon: Science Vol 178(4062) Nov 1972, 773-776.
  • Reimer, J., Gilg, K., Karow, A., Esser, J., & Franke, G. H. (2005). Health-related quality of life in blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Vol 111(1) Jan 2005, 64-70.
  • Reiter, R. J., Sorrentino, S., & Hoffman, R. A. (1972). Muscular spasms and death in thyroparathyroidectomized rats subjected to pinealectomy: Life Sciences Vol 11(3, Pt 1) Feb 1972, 123-133.
  • Rosler, M. (1981). Differential diagnosis as demonstrated in a case of writer's cramp: Zeitschrift fur Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie Vol 9(1) 1981, 44-52.
  • Sapienza, C. M., Walton, S., & Murry, T. (2000). Adductor spasmodic dysphonia and muscular tension dysphonia: Acoustic analysis of sustained phonation and reading: Journal of Voice Vol 14(4) Dec 2000, 502-520.
  • Satoyoshi, E. (1978). A syndrome of progressive muscle spasm, alopecia, and diarrhea: Neurology Vol 28(5) May 1978, 458-471.
  • Scheidt, C. E. (1995). Psychological distress and psychopathology in spasmodic torticollis: Clinical assessment and psychometric findings: Psychotherapie Psychosomatik Medizinische Psychologie Vol 45(5) May 1995, 183-191.
  • Scheidt, C. E., Schuller, B., Rayki, O., Kommerell, G., & Deuschl, G. (1996). Relative absence of psychopathology in benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm: Neurology Vol 47(1) Jul 1996, 43-45.
  • Schreiber, S., & Pick, C. G. (1995). Fluoxetine for blepharospasm: Interaction of serotonin and dopamine: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease Vol 183(11) Nov 1995, 719-721.
  • Schuster, M. M. (1983). Esophageal spasm and psychiatric disorder: New England Journal of Medicine Vol 309(22) Dec 1983, 1382-1383.
  • Sharma, A., Hammer, S., Egbert, M., & Sorrell, J. H. (2007). Electroconvulsive therapy and ocular dystonia: Journal of ECT Vol 23(3) Sep 2007, 181-182.
  • Sharma, P., & Gupta, N. (2002). Social phobia in spasmodic torticollis: Some conceptual issues: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Vol 73(4) Oct 2002, 461.
  • Skorzewska, A., & Lal, S. (1990). Spasmodic torticollis and phobic neurosis: Neuropsychobiology Vol 24(1) 1990-1991, 8-11.
  • Spitz, H. H. (1997). Nonconscious movements: From mystical messages to facilitated communication. Hillsdale, NJ, England: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
  • Stewart, R. M., Campbell, A., Sperk, G., & Baldessarini, R. J. (1979). Receptor mechanisms in increased sensitivity to serotonin agonists after dihydroxytryptamine shown by electronic monitoring of muscle twitches in the rat: Psychopharmacology Vol 60(3) 1979, 281-289.
  • Tan, E.-K., & Jankovic, J. (2001). Psychogenic hemifacial spasm: Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences Vol 13(3) Sum 2001, 380-384.
  • Thornton, A., & McKenna, P. J. (1994). Acute dystonic reactions complicated by psychotic phenomena: British Journal of Psychiatry Vol 164 Jan 1994, 115-118.
  • Tirelli, E. (1989). The GABA-A agonist muscimol facilitates muscular twitches and locomotor movements in the neonatal mouse: Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior Vol 33(2) Jun 1989, 497-500.
  • Vankova, J., Nevsimalova, S., Sonka, K., Spackova, N., & Svejdova-Blaejova, K. (2001). Increased REM density in narcolepsy-cataplexy and the polysymtomatic form of idiopathic hypersomnia: Sleep: Journal of Sleep and Sleep Disorders Research Vol 24(6) Jun 2001, 707-711.
  • Varela B, L. (1988). Symptoms and signs of writer's cramp: Revista Chilena de Neuropsiquiatria Vol 26(1) Jan-Mar 1988, 57-61.
  • Veyrat, J. G., Renouardiere, R., & Lebourges, J. (1978). Psychopathological study of 200 cases of adult spasmophilia: Annales Medico-Psychologiques Vol 136(10) Dec 1978, 1224-1235.
  • Viel, E. J., Perennou, D., Ripart, J., Pelissier, J., & Eledjam, J. J. (2002). Neurolytic blockade of the obturator nerve for intractable spasticity of adductor thigh muscles: European Journal of Pain Vol 6(2) 2002, 97-104.
  • Wenzel, T., Schnider, P., Griengl, H., Birner, P., Nepp, J., & Auff, E. (2000). Psychiatric disorders in patients with blepharospasm--a reactive pattern? : Journal of Psychosomatic Research Vol 48(6) Jun 2000, 589-591.
  • White, M. C., Silverman, J. J., & Harbison, J. W. (1982). Psychosis associated with clonazepam therapy for blepharospasm: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease Vol 170(2) Feb 1982, 117-119.
  • Wieck, A., Harrington, R. C., Marks, I., & Marsden, C. D. (1988). Writer's cramp: A controlled trial of habit reversal treatment: British Journal of Psychiatry Vol 153 Jul 1988, 111-115.
  • Zackowski, K. M., Dromerick, A. W., Sahrmann, S. A., Thach, W. T., & Bastian, A. J. (2004). How do strength, sensation, spasticity and joint individuation relate to the reaching deficits of people with chronic hemiparesis? : Brain: A Journal of Neurology Vol 127(5) May 2004, 1035-1046.


External links[]


This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).
Advertisement