Sustained, powerful, twisting, predominantly extensor movements of the neck, upper arms, and trunk describe which condition?

• A. Akathisia
• B. Oral-buccal-lingual TD
• C. Tardive dystonia
• D. Dystonia

Answer: (C)

This describes a dystonic movement pattern. Dystonia involves sustained muscle contractions that cause twisting postures and abnormal postures, often with axial involvement (neck, trunk, upper limbs). When these sustained, twisting postures appear after long-term dopamine receptor blockade from antipsychotics, it is called tardive dystonia.

Akathisia is characterized by inner restlessness and an urge to move rather than fixed twisting postures. Tardive dyskinesia involves repetitive, choreiform movements of the mouth, tongue, and face, not the sustained extensor postures of the neck and trunk. So the description best fits tardive dystonia.