Ideomotor apraxia is a disturbance in the performance of movements needed to use an object, make a gesture, or sequence movements; it typically affects which type of movements?

• A. Automatic movements
• B. Voluntary movements
• C. Reflex movements
• D. Postural movements

Answer: (B)

In ideomotor apraxia, the disruption shows up when a person must plan and execute purposeful, voluntary movements on command. These actions require translating a concept into a motor sequence, like showing how to use an object or performing a gesture when asked. Because the difficulty lies in initiating or sequencing voluntary movements, this type of movement is the one affected.

Automatic actions—those triggered by familiar cues or performed without conscious initiation—are often better preserved, since they rely on different, more automatic pathways. Reflexive or postural movements aren’t the primary targets of ideomotor apraxia, which is why they’re typically not the main issue in this condition.