PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ruaidhri McCormack
AU  - John Moriarty
AU  - John D Mellers
AU  - Paul Shotbolt
AU  - Rosa Pastena
AU  - Nadine Landes
AU  - Laura Goldstein
AU  - Simon Fleminger
AU  - Anthony S David
TI  - Specialist inpatient treatment for severe motor conversion disorder: a retrospective comparative study
AID  - 10.1136/jnnp-2013-305716
DP  - 2014 Aug 01
TA  - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
PG  - 895--900
VI  - 85
IP  - 8
4099  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/85/8/895.short
4100  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/85/8/895.full
SO  - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2014 Aug 01; 85
AB  - Background Gold standard protocols have yet to be established for the treatment of motor conversion disorder (MCD). There is limited evidence to support inpatient, multidisciplinary intervention in chronic, severe cases. Aims To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of MCD patients admitted to a specialist neuropsychiatric inpatient unit. Methods All patients admitted to the Lishman Unit (years 2007–2011) with a diagnosis of MCD were included. Data relevant to characteristics and status with regard to mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score at admission and discharge were extracted. Results Thirty-three cases (78.8% female) were included; the median duration of illness was 48 months. In comparison with brain injury patients admitted to the same unit, more cases had histories of childhood sexual abuse (36.4%, n=12), premorbid non-dissociative mental illness (81.1%, n=27) and employment as a healthcare/social-care worker (45.5%, n=15). Cases showed significant improvements in MRS scores (p<0.001), mobility (p<0.001) and ADL (p=0.002) following inpatient treatment. Conclusions Patients with severe, long-standing MCD can achieve significant improvements in functioning after admission to a neuropsychiatry unit.