Dystonia-like Movement Disorders Ameliorated by Shear Force and Pressure Stimulation after Small Infarction in the Left Posterolateral Thalamus

Focal dystonia (FD) can develop after thalamic lesions. Abnormal somatic sensations were argued to be responsible for FD. Our patient experienced FD-like movement disorders, agraphesthesia, and a reduced sense of shear force on the skin and pressure to deep tissues of the right upper limb following a small infarction in the left posterolateral thalamus. FD-like symptoms improved while the skin was being pulled or the deep tissue was being pushed in a manner proportional to the strength of muscle contractions. Therefore, the lack of these sensations was suggested to be related to FD-like symptoms.