Objective: 

In previous studies we have observed short-lasting symptomatic improvements in patients presenting with cerebellar disorders (CBL) after a motor testing program. The aim of the current study was to develop a rehabilitation program for patients with cerebellar-based postural ataxia.

Methods: 

In our program CBL and healthy subjects (CTRL) were tested when standing on a dynamic platform to which sinusoidal stimulation movements, either sidewards or frontwards-backwards, were applied (passive whole body stimulation). After a stimulation period of 3 min subjects had to perform actively a block of 20 sidesteps, starting from a feet-apart position to a feet-together position. The sequence of stimulation movements and sidesteps was repeated 8 times. Activity of the main groups of leg muscles and forces exerted onto the platform were recorded and the center of vertical pressure (CVP) calculated. The degree of improvement was derived from the performance of these steps.

Results: 

Precise sidesteps were more difficult than to perform fast sidesteps for both groups. The variation of the muscle activty and that of the CVP trajectory during the stand phase and during the step phase was clearly smaller in CTRL, although some CBL showed a significant improvement at the end of the whole session. This encouraging result was further supported by written reports of the CBL who were asked to score their condition subjectively in the week following our program.

Conclusions: 

These preliminary results give reason to hope that simple physical treatment may temporarily reduce postural-based ataxia in CBL. Supported by Else-Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung (A12/07)