Research advances in treatment of cervical dystonia

Zihao ZHUANG, Jiacheng ZHANG, Kaihan SU, Qingbo LÜ, Huanan LI, Jingui WANG

Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation ›› 2026, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (2) : 157-167.

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Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation ›› 2026, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (2) : 157-167. DOI: 10.12022/jnnr.2025-0372
Neurorehabilitation

Research advances in treatment of cervical dystonia

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Abstract

Cervical dystonia (CD) is the most common type of adult-onset focal dystonia, which can significantly impair patients' self-care ability and quality of life. Current mainstream therapeutic approaches include botulinum toxin therapy, pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment, physical therapy, psychological therapy, and characteristic therapies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This paper conducts a literature review on the existing therapeutic modalities for CD and summarizes the efficacy, safety and limitations of different interventional measures. It is found that the existing therapies exert definite effects in managing the motor symptoms of CD, whereas obvious deficiencies remain in the efficacy evaluation and clinical attention to non-motor symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Future research should focus on exploring multimodal individualized treatment regimens integrating pharmacotherapy, surgery, rehabilitation and psychological intervention, so as to achieve precise matching of patients' treatment needs and comprehensive improvement of their quality of life.

Key words

Cervical dystonia / Botulinum toxin / Deep brain stimulation / Physiotherapy

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Zihao ZHUANG, Jiacheng ZHANG, Kaihan SU, Qingbo LÜ, Huanan LI, Jingui WANG. Research advances in treatment of cervical dystonia[J]. Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation. 2026, 22(2): 157-167 https://doi.org/10.12022/jnnr.2025-0372

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Funding

FUNDING/: Key Field Research Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Tianjin(2024001);Science and Technology Project of Haihe Laboratory of Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine(24HHZYSS00015);Key Project of Health Commission of Nankai District, Tianjin(20240204015)
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