Patients with motor conversion disorder use early developmental motor patterns

Abstract Objective To assess psychological factors of individuals suffering from conversion disorder/Functional Neurological Disorder (CD/FND) as observed through their motor behavior. Methods We analyzed the psychomotor behavior of 6 patients (all male, average age – 52.8 years) with CD/FND in a specialized clinic using a binary motor - psychological developmental paradigm (Emotorics - Emotive Body Movement Mind Paradigm [Emotorics-EBMMP]). Results All patients showed dominance of an early developmental prototype (P0) characterized by flexed postures resembling the infant held by his caregivers and relative paucity of a more developed prototype (P1) characterized by erect position typical for a face to face interaction. Conclusions The P0 preponderance suggests impingement on the core self and regression to/or fixation in an early developmental stage.