title: Decreasing fall risk in spinocerebellar ataxia.
abstract: [Purpose] Spinocerebellar ataxia consists of a group of autosomal dominant disorders that cause progressive degeneration, mainly in the cerebellum and its connections. Falls, which are a significant concern of this condition, reduce patients' mobility, deteriorate their health and have physical and social consequences. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a modified protocol for improving balance and diminishing the fall risk of spinocerebellar ataxia patients exclusively. [Subjects and Methods] Exercises aiming to improve static and dynamic balance, whole body movements, measures to prevent falls and falling strategies were performed twice per week for four weeks by 11 spinocerebellar ataxia patients. Balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale. [Results] The results show that there was a significant increase in Berg Balance Scale scores after the interventions (Wilcoxon p=0.0034). [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that the modified protocol is effective at reducing the fall risk of spinocerebellar ataxia patients. This protocol may be a useful option for appropriately coping with falls caused by spinocerebellar ataxia.
authors.affiliation: Post-graduation Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Augusto Motta University Center, Brazil ; Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laura Alice
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Santos de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Post-graduation Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Augusto Motta University Center, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camilla Polonini
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Post-graduation Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Augusto Motta University Center, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Henrique Ramos
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Horsczaruk
authors.affiliation: Post-graduation Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Augusto Motta University Center, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora Cristina
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lima da Silva
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Deolindo Couto Neurology Institute, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Vicente Pereira
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Deolindo Couto Neurology Institute, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Felipe Rocha
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.affiliation: Post-graduation Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Augusto Motta University Center, Brazil ; Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erika de Carvalho
authors.initials: Ede C
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
keywords: Balance; Physical therapy; SCA