The treatment of Writer’s Cramp, a task-specific focal hand dystonia, needs new approaches. A deficiency of inhibition in the motor cortex might cause Writer’s Cramp. Transcranial direct current stimulation modulates cortical excitability and may provide a therapeutic alternative.

In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, we investigated efficacy of cathodal stimulation of contralateral motor cortex in 3-sessions within one week. Assessment over a 2-week period included clinical scales, subjective ratings, kinematic handwriting analysis and neurophysiological evaluation.

Twelve patients with unilateral dystonic Writer’s Cramp were investigated, 6 received transcranial direct current and 6 sham-stimulation. Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation had no favorable effects on clinical scales, and failed to restore normal handwriting kinematics and cortical inhibition. Subjective worsening remained unexplained leading to premature study termination.

Repeated sessions of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex yielded no favorable results supporting a therapeutic potential in Writer’s Cramp.