2016 Articles

Possible Functional Moving Toes Syndrome

Vanegas-Arroyave, Nora; Panyakaew, Pattamon; Lamichhane, Dronacharya; Shulman, Lisa; Hallett, Mark

Background: Moving toes syndrome has been classically described as an organic movement disorder, on occasion related to peripheral nerve injuries. The association between nerve trauma and movement disorders has become a controversial topic, and the functional etiology of moving toes syndrome has recently been proposed.

Case Report: We describe two cases of moving toes syndrome with clinical features typically suggestive of a functional movement disorder.

Discussion: The presence of entrainability and distractibility in the described patients is an indication of attentional influences on their involuntary movements. However, it is possible that if there is a subcortical origin, the toe movements could be influenced by voluntary commands.