Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(4):278-283 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.048

Functional jerks: diagnosis, communication of the diagnosis, and treatment

doc. MUDr. Tereza Serranová, Ph.D.

Neurologická klinika a Centrum klinických neurověd, Univerzita Karlova, 1. lékařská fakulta a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze

Functional jerks (myoclonus) are among the less common subtypes of functional movement disorders and manifest as rapid, mostly paroxysmal involuntary movements. They may be spontaneous, present at rest, triggered by action, or elicited by external stimuli; they preferentially affect the trunk, limbs, and neck. The diagnosis is based primarily on positive signs of inconsistency of the jerks, such as variability in the pattern of muscle activation, duration, and triggering factors, and on neurophysiological evidence of cortical correlates preceding the jerks in EEG-EMG back-ave­raging studies. In treatment, the key elements are delivering a positive diagnosis, patient education, and individualized multidisciplinary therapy, usually including physiotherapy and psychotherapy.

Keywords: functional movement disorders, functional jerks, myoclonus, inconsistency, neurophysiology, Bereitschaftspotential, physiotherapy, psychotherapy.

Received: May 27, 2026; Revised: August 11, 2026; Accepted: August 24, 2026; Published: October 2, 2026  Show citation