{{Short description|Disorder causing abnormal and involuntary movements}} {{Infobox medical condition | name = | synonym = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | pronounce = | specialty = Neurology | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }}
'''Motor disorders''' are disorders of the nervous system that cause abnormal and involuntary movements. They can result from damage to the motor system.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url= http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s3/chapter06.html|title= Chapter 6: Disorders of the Motor System|author= Knierim J|publisher= The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston|date= |accessdate= October 5, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171117025917/http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s3/chapter06.html|archive-date= November 17, 2017|url-status= dead}}</ref>
Motor disorders are defined in the fifth edition of the ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'' (DSM-5) – published in 2013 to replace the fourth text revision (DSM-IV-TR) – as a new sub-category of neurodevelopmental disorders. The DSM-5 motor disorders include developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia), stereotypic movement disorder, and tic disorders including Tourette syndrome.<ref name=MotorDisorderDSM>{{Cite book | author=American Psychiatric Association | year=2013 | title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders | edition=Fifth | publisher=American Psychiatric Publishing | location=Arlington, VA | pages=[https://archive.org/details/diagnosticstatis0005unse/page/74 74–85] | isbn=978-0-89042-555-8 | url=https://archive.org/details/diagnosticstatis0005unse/page/74 }}</ref>
== Signs and symptoms ==
Motor disorders are malfunctions of the nervous system that cause involuntary or uncontrollable movements or actions of the body.<ref name=Stone/> These disorders can cause lack of intended movement or an excess of involuntary movement.<ref name=Mandal>Mandal, Ananya, MD. "What Are Movement Disorders?" News-Medical.net. AZO Network, 14 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.</ref> Symptoms of motor disorders include tremors, jerks, twitches, spasms, contractions, or gait problems.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
Tremor is the uncontrollable shaking of an arm or a leg. Twitches or jerks of body parts may occur due to a startling sound or unexpected, sudden pain. Spasms and contractions are temporary abnormal resting positions of hands or feet. Spasms are temporary while contractions could be permanent. Gait problems are problems with the way one walks or runs. This can mean an unsteady pace or dragging of the feet along with other possible irregularities.<ref name=Stone>Stone, Jon. "Functional Tremor/ Spasms / Walking Problems and Other Functional Movement Disorders." Movement Disorders. ''Neurology Research Fund of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences'', 2015. Web.</ref>
Through the process of several healthcare professionals can help in diagnosing motor disorders. Neurological examinations can be made to identify motor disorders. This can be done through MRI or CT or electromyography, which are tests done to evaluate the function of muscles and nerves.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Movement disorders: Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment|url=https://continentalhospitals.com/diseases/movement-disorders/|website=continentalhospitals.com|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en}}</ref>
== Common types of motor disorders == Ataxia is a common type of movement disorder that affects an individual's balance through uncoordinated movement of the arms and legs, as well as affecting their speech.<ref name="Mayo2025">{{Cite web|title=Movement disorders - Symptoms and causes|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/movement-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20363893|website=Mayo Clinic|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en}}</ref>
Chorea is another common type of movement disorder that causes rapid and involuntary movements that occur irregularly. Huntington's disease is the most common type of genetic chorea. <ref name="Mayo2025"/> Dystonia is caused by intermittent muscle contractions and head tremors. This leads to abnormal or repetitive movements or posture.<ref name="Mayo2025"/> Functional movement disorder (FMD) is a condition characterized by abnormal and involuntary movements; however FMD is not caused by an underlying neurological disease. Functional movement disorder is not chronic and can be treated.<ref name="Mayo2025"/> Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has no known cause. MSA affects an individual's movement, sense of balance, and the regulation of body functions. Low blood pressure, irregular bowel and bladder control, and breathing issues.<ref name=":0" />
== Causes ==
Pathological changes of certain areas of the brain are the main causes of most motor disorders.<ref name=Mandal/> Causes of motor disorders by genetic mutation usually affect the cerebrum.<ref name=Esra>Esra, Tara, and Khodakhah, Kamran. ''Pathophysiology of Cerebellar-induced Motor Disorders'' (2012): ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Web.</ref> The way humans move requires many parts of the brain to work together to perform a complex process. The brain must send signals to the muscles instructing them to perform a certain action. There are constant signals being sent to and from the brain and the muscles that regulate the details of the movement such as speed and direction, so when a certain part of the brain malfunctions, the signals can be incorrect or uncontrollable causing involuntary or uncontrollable actions or movements.<ref name=Mandal/>
== Risk factors == The irregularity of body movements, such as tremors and jerking movements in the hands, arms, legs, and the head, including the face, can cause issues with coordination and balance. Issues with coordination and balance may cause stability problems that can lead to falls and injuries. Movement disorders can cause a decrease in pace within the body which can be exhausting and much harder for individuals to get by in their daily living.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Movement disorders: Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment|url=https://continentalhospitals.com/diseases/movement-disorders/|website=continentalhospitals.com|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Motor disorder}} Category:Extrapyramidal and movement disorders Category:Neurological disorders Category:Symptoms and signs: Nervous and musculoskeletal systems Category:Neurodevelopmental disorders