title: Effect of long-term climbing training on cerebellar ataxia: a case series.
abstract: Background. Efficient therapy for both limb and gait ataxia is required. Climbing, a complex task for the whole motor system involving balance, body stabilization, and the simultaneous coordination of all 4 limbs, may have therapeutic potential. Objective. To investigate whether long-term climbing training improves motor function in patients with cerebellar ataxia. Methods. Four patients suffering from limb and gait ataxia underwent a 6-week climbing training. Its effect on ataxia was evaluated with validated clinical balance and manual dexterity tests and with a kinematic analysis of multijoint arm and leg pointing movements. Results. The patients increased their movement velocity and achieved a more symmetric movement speed profile in both arm and leg pointing movements. Furthermore, the 2 patients who suffered the most from gait ataxia improved their balance and 2 of the 4 patients improved manual dexterity. Conclusion. Climbing training has the potential to serve as a new rehabilitation method for patients with upper and lower limb ataxia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marianne Anke
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marianne Anke
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krattinger
authors.forename: Krattinger
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sylvie
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pasquier
authors.forename: Pasquier
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jérôme
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: Bashir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Fournier
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Dieter Georg
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ruegg
authors.forename: Ruegg
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dieter Georg
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diserens
authors.forename: Diserens
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karin