Movement disorders

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Diagnosis

To diagnose a movement disorder, your healthcare professional begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. Your healthcare professional also takes your medical history.

You may need tests that can help diagnose a movement disorder or find another cause of your symptoms. Tests may include:

  • Blood tests. Your blood may be tested for vitamin deficiencies, thyroid function and other conditions.
  • Genetic tests. Your healthcare professional may recommend that you're tested for certain genetic conditions that may lead to movement disorders.
  • Imaging tests. These may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Some people may need a test that measures the electrical activity within muscles, known as electromyography (EMG). Your healthcare professional also might order a dopamine transporter (DAT) scan, which can help diagnose parkinsonism.

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Treatment

Treatment for movement disorders may include medicines to manage symptoms. Sometimes a combination of medicines may be needed. Botox injections also can treat some movement disorders, such as dystonia and essential tremor.

If there's a medical condition that's causing the movement disorder, treating the condition can help relieve symptoms.

Physical, occupational and speech therapy also can help people with movement disorders.

People who have serious symptoms may need surgery. Sometimes deep brain stimulation may be an option to treat movement disorders such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease.

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Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Movement disorders care at Mayo Clinic

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Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments
May 30, 2024
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  2. Overview of movement and cerebellar disorders. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/movement-and-cerebellar-disorders/overview-of-movement-and-cerebellar-disorders?query=movement%20disorder#. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  3. Movement disorders. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Movement-Disorders. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  4. Jankovic J, et al., eds. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  5. Miyasaki JM. Functional movement disorders. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  6. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Jan. 3, 2024.
  7. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2024. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  8. Parkinson disease. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/movement-and-cerebellar-disorders/parkinson-disease#. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  9. Multiple system atrophy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/multiple-system-atrophy#. Accessed March 19, 2024.
  10. Bower JH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. March 25, 2024.

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