Movement, dysfunctional

Alternative names:

apraxia; dysfunctional movements; inability to perform useful movements

Home care:

Safety measures should be taken to compensate for weakness, confusion, sensory deficiencies, or seizures that may accompany this problem. Participation in normal activities is encouraged.

Extreme patience should be exercised with people who suffer from apraxia. Take time to demonstrate tasks and allow sufficient time for the afflicted person to perform the task. Avoid complex directions.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is unexplained and persistent lack of ability to do simple, routine acts.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. If there are seizures, the patient will be stabilized first.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

• Do you undergo hemodialysis (for chronic kidney failure)?
• What other symptoms are also present? Especially, is there:
  • confusion or disorientation
  • memory loss
  • weakness or paralysis of any body part
  • numbness or tingling of any body part
  • seizures

The physical examination will include emphasis on examination of the nervous system.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• CT scan of the head or affected area
• radionuclide brain scan (nuclear scan)

Referral to a physical therapist and sometimes an occupational therapist may be indicated.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of dysfunctional movement, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.