COURSE · PART 2 · MODULE 7
Module 7 — Movement, Weakness, Walking, and Falls
Movement symptoms can look and feel very different from one another. This module gives each main pattern its own short page, then explains movement retraining separately.
What this module teaches
- Positive signs can show that movement works differently across tasks; they do not show that symptoms are voluntary. [1]
- Weakness, tremor, jerks, dystonia, gait problems and falls need pattern-specific assessment.
- Aids and accessibility can support life while rehabilitation is considered.
- Movement retraining may use meaningful automatic movement and redirected attention, with a dose suited to the person. [2][3]
Pages
- Functional Weakness and Paralysis — focused guidance on functional weakness and paralysis.
- Tremor, Jerks, Tics, and Spasms — focused guidance on tremor, jerks, tics, and spasms.
- Functional Dystonia and Fixed Postures — focused guidance on functional dystonia and fixed postures.
- Gait and Falls — focused guidance on walking safety, falls and access.
- How Movement Retraining Works — why practice may use rhythm, goals and automatic movement rather than more effort.
Inside each page: Person with FND · Supporters · Clinicians · Research
Every page in this module uses these same four main sections.
Research and Sources
| Citation | Figure | Full citation |
|---|---|---|
| [1] | — | Edwards MJ, Koens LH, Liepert J, Nonnekes J, Schwingenschuh P, van de Stouwe AMM, Morgante F. Clinical neurophysiology of functional motor disorders: IFCN Handbook Chapter. Clinical Neurophysiology Practice. 2024;9:69–77. FND-CIT-0022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnp.2023.12.006 |
| [2] | — | Nielsen G, Stone J, Matthews A, et al. Physiotherapy for functional motor disorders: a consensus recommendation. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2015;86(10):1113–1119. FND-CIT-0028. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2014-309255 |
| [3] | — | Nielsen G, Stone J, Lee TC, et al.; Physio4FMD study group. Specialist physiotherapy for functional motor disorder in England and Scotland (Physio4FMD): a pragmatic, multicentre, phase 3 randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology. 2024;23(7):675–686. FND-CIT-0029. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00135-2 |
Functional motor and vocal/phonic tic-like symptoms are covered in Module 7, with dedicated diagnosis and paired recovery guidance. Vocal symptoms may also need the communication-access support in Module 9.
Related reference: Functional paralysis: seven detailed recovery and care pages.
Related reference: Functional drop attacks: seven detailed recovery and safety pages.
Functional tics: eight detailed recovery and supporting-care pages — five original treatment/coordinated-care entries and three original safety/access/support entries, expanded one-to-one. One additional navigation overview; 17 symptom presentations and course-page counts are unchanged. Added September 24, 2026; human review pending.