Emerging Trends in Functional Movement Disorders Consultations and the Impact of a Major Life Event

Abstract

Background: Awareness and major external events can contribute to the number of FMD cases.

Objective: To analyze trends in new Functional Movement Disorders (FMD) consultations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of FMD new consultations (2014-2024) at a tertiary movement disorders clinic. Trends and the COVID-19 impact were analyzed with linear and segmented regression. Patient characteristics in the pre- and post-pandemic periods were compared.

Results: Among 14,587 new consultations, 162 were FMD (79% female, mean age at onset 44.7 ± 18.3 years). FMD consultations increased slowly over time, with a marked surge after 2021. The significant rise was observed during the three years post-pandemic, followed by a return to the pre-pandemic slope. Pre and post-pandemic groups' characteristics were almost similar.

Conclusions: FMD consultations increased over time and significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the influence of increased awareness and external factors.