Date of Award
Spring 2020
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
School of Music
First Advisor
Scott Price
Abstract
Focal dystonia is a movement disorder that precludes the execution of fine motor skills. Although research on focal dystonia has been intensified during the last few decades, particularly because it has affected eminent musicians such as pianists Leon Fleisher and Gary Graffman, violinist Peter Oundjian, and oboist Alex Klein, there are still several answered questions, as well as numerous misconceptions, commonly associated with this disorder. This document comprehensively explores dystonia’s mechanism of action, causes, potential risks, and treatments. The publicly available statements of three prominent concert pianists who successfully recovered from focal dystonia are also included in this document. Additionally, the document comprises the author’s insights after utilizing the Taubman Method to control the symptoms caused by this movement disorder.
Rights
© 2020, Juan Nicolás Morales Espitia
Recommended Citation
Morales Espitia, J. N.(2020). Focal Dystonia Causes and Treatments: A Guide for Pianists. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/5941