Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by sustained or tonic muscle contractions that can result in abnormal posturing and positioning of specific body regions. These tonic muscle contractions frequently are associated with abnormal and sometimes painful posturing and positioning, twisting and repetitive movements (Duffy, 1995; Fahn. Marsden & Calne, 1987). When dystonia affects the tongue it is known as lingual dystonia. Lingual dyslonia, a hyperkinetic dysarthria, is characterized by abnormal contractions of the intrinsic or extrinsic muscles of the tongue that result in sustained tongue postures. In severe cases, lingual dystonia can have devastating effects on speech production and intelligibility.
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