Athetoid movements are slow, irregular, and objectively purposeless, not without an apparent pattern. They are observed mainly in the fingers and toes, in the form of flexion and extension and spreading of the digits. The movements are practically constant and not infrequently accompanied by synkinesias that is associated movements in order parts of the body, limbs and face. Athetosis must be distinguished from pseudo – Athetosis which is seen mainly in the fingers of the persons whose sense of position (posterior columns) is impaired. These movements are not spontaneous, but elicited when the patient closes his eyes and stretches out his hands.

Spasms of muscles or groups of muscles are slow, sometimes prolonged pattern movements which may occur anywhere in the body. Some are known as habit spasm. They are infrequently psychogenic (hysteric conversion symptom) in nature. They often occur in the face (hemifacial), sometimes in the eyelids, occasionally in the neck, shoulder and other muscles.

One may observe they in the form of skipping or jumping movements, the well know hysteric salutatory spasm. Ties are also pattern movements, but are much more rapid and seemingly have purposive contents. The spasm frequently begins in one muscle and may be due to reflex irritation, such as blepharospasm secondary to conjunctivitis, but the tic is a much sharper, quicker and larger movement. Reflex extensor, flexor, and adductor spasm may be observed in some cases of spastic paraplegia. While both tics and spasm may be psychogenic in nature, they are generally due to organic lesions, as the sequelae of epidemic encephalitis have amply proved.

Dystonic movement are large, slow, amplified choreiform movements in volving the limbs and body. They too are not purposive, though there is a spasm, especially of the pelvis and often of the neck muscles. The movements are constant and irregular.