Functional sensory disorders
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Functional sensory disorders. Numbness, Paraesthesias, Abstract experiences, Dead or absence type experiences. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Presentations
- Numbness
- Paraesthesias
- Abstract experiences
- Dead or absence type experiences
- Sensory hypersensitivity
Distribution of symptoms
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Clinical assessment: most lack sensitivity
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The Bowlus-Currier test
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The ‘Yes/no’ test
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Quantitative sensory testing (QST)
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Targets of treatment
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References
- Sen C, Chatterjee K. Clues to non-organic sensory symptoms in neurology. J Postgrad Med 2013; 59:341-342.
- Stone J, Warlow C, Sharpe M. The symptom of functional weakness: a controlled study of 107 patients. Brain 2010; 133:1537-1551.
- Nielsen G, Higgins R, Stone J, Coebergh J, Edwards MJ. Functional sensory symptoms and signs: a case-control study of 102 patients. Brain Commun 2026; 8:fcag031.
