Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-cphqk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-28T22:34:26.207Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rhythmic Movement Disorder in Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Timothy F. Hoban
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

How should sleep-related rhythmic movements in children be assessed and treated? Rhythmic movement disorder (RMD) represents an unusual variety of childhood parasomnia characterized by repetitive motion of the head, trunk, or extremities, which usually occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep or arises during sustained sleep. Although the condition most often affects infants and toddlers in a transient and self-limited fashion, the condition occasionally persists in a problematic fashion, which may nevertheless be amenable to treatment. Since RMD may occasionally cause injury or resemble nocturnal seizure, prompt recognition, and appropriate management on the part of the clinician is essential. This article will examine the spectrum of RMD in children, including their common clinical manifestations; data regarding their epidemiology and natural history; the role of polysomnography, electroencephalography; and other diagnostic testing. Potential causes of the condition and available methods of treatment are also examined.

Type
Review
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 8 , Issue 2: Sleep Disorders , February 2003 , pp. 135 - 138
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Zappert, J. Uber nactliche Kopfbewegungen bei kindern (jactatio capitis nocturna). Jahrbuch fuer Kinderheilkunde. 1905;62:70–83.Google Scholar
2.Cruchet, R. Tics et sommeil. Presse Medicale. 1905;13:33–36.Google Scholar
3.Thorpy, MJ, Glovinsky, PB. Parasomnias. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1987;10:623–639CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Klackenberg, G. Rhythmic movements in infancy and early childhood. Acta Pediatr Scand. 1971;224(suppl):74–82.Google Scholar
5.Happe, S, Ludemann, P, Ringelstein, EB. Persistence of rhythmic movement disorder beyond childhood: a videotape demonstration. Mov Disord. 2000;15:1296–1298.3.0.CO;2-E>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Laberge, L, Tremblay, RE, Vitaro, F, et al.Development of parasomnias from childhood to early adolescence. Pediatrics. 2000;106(1 pt 1):67–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Whyte, J, Kavey, NB, Gidro-Frank, S. A self-destructive variant of jactatio capitis nocturna. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1991;179:49–50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Kempenaers, C, Bouillon, E, Mendlewicz, J. A rhythmic movement disorder in REM sleep: a case report. Sleep. 1994;17:274–279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Chisholm, T, Morehouse, RL. Adult headbanging: sleep studies and treatment. Sleep. 1996;19:343–346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Walsh, JK, Kramer, M, Skinner, JE. A case report of jactatio capitis nocturna. Am J Psychiatry. 1981;138:524–526.Google ScholarPubMed
11.Drake, ME. Jactatio capitis nocturna after head injury. Neurology. 1986;36:867–868.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Spock, B. The Pocket Book of Baby and Child Care. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1952.Google Scholar
13.Dyken, ME, Lin-Dyken, DC, Yamada, T. Diagnosing rhythmic movement disorder with video-polysomnography. Pediatr Neurol. 1997;16:37–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Kaneda, R, Furita, H, Kazuto, K, et al.An unusual case of rhythmic movement disorder. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2000;54:348–349.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Sallustro, C, Atwell, F. Jactatiot capitis. J Pediatr. 1978;93:714–708.Google Scholar
16.Bemporad, JR, Sours, JA, Spalter, HF. Cataracts following chronic headbanging. Am J Psychiatry. 1968;125:245–249.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Sormann, GW. The headbanger tumour. Br J Plast Surg. 1982;35:72–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Stuck, KJ, Hernandez, RJ. Large skull defect in a headbanger. Pediatr Radiol. 1979;8:257–258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Jackson, MA, Hughes, RC, Ward, SP. “Headbanging” and carotid dissection. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1983;287:1262.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Mackenzie, JM. “Headbanging” and fatal subdural hemorrhage. Lancet. 1991;338:1457–1458.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21.Carlock, KS, Williams, JP, Graves, GC. MRI findings in headbangers. Clin Imaging. 1997;21:411–413.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Manni, R, Tartara, A. Conazepam treatment of rhythmic movement disorders. Sleep. 1997;20:812.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Vogel, W, Stein, DJ. Citalopram for head banging. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000;39:544–545.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Chisholm, T, Morehouse, RL. Adult headbanging: sleep studies and treatment. Sleep. 1996;19:343–346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25.Regestein, QR, Hartmann, E, Reich, P. A single case study: a head movement disorder occurring in dreaming sleep. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1977;164:432–435.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Rosenberg, C. Elimination of a rhythmic movement disorder with hypnosis–a case report. Sleep. 1995;18:608–609.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27.Decantanzaro, DA, Baldwin, G. Effective treatment of self-injurious behavior through forced-arm exercise. Am J Ment Defic. 1978;82:433–439.Google Scholar
28.Frankel, F, Moss, D, Scholfield, S, et al.Case study: use of differential reinforcement to suppress self-injurious and aggressive behavior. Psychol Rep. 1976;39:843–849.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29.Weiher, RG, Harman, RE. The use of omission training to reduce self-injurious behavior in a retarded child. Behav Ther. 1975;6:261–268.CrossRefGoogle Scholar