Investigating the effectiveness of medication comparing to medication plus EMG biofeedback on depression, anxiety and stress in females with chronic focal dystonia

Focal dystonia is a chronic disease with unwanted side effects. In addition to physical symptoms، some psychological problems particularly depression، anxiety and stress are common in patients with focal dystonia. The aim of this study was investigating the effectiveness of medication in comparison to medication plus EMG biofeedback on depression، anxiety and stress in females with chronic focal dystonia. This was a experimental/interventional study with pre-post-and follow up phases. The sample was consisted of 20 patients with spasmodic torticollis and 10 patients with blepharospasm. All of the patients have been already diagnosed by neurologist، they were randomly selected and assigned into medication and medication plus EMG biofeedback groups. Both of the groups were kept on botulinum toxin type A and the second group which were receiving the drug for 10 weeks also participated in 20 sessions of EMG biofeedback treatment. Data were collected through the DASS-42 Questionnaire which was administered in the pre-test، post-test، and follow-up phases. The mean of DASS-42 score in the Medication plus EMG biofeedback group showed a significantly higher decrease in comparison to that of the medication group (p<0. 05). The results suggested that medication plus EMG was more effective than medication alone، on decreasing depression، anxiety and stress in females with chronic focal dystonia.