Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: July | Volume: 13 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 25-34
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230704
Efficacy of the Structured Physiotherapeutic Program in Patients with Cerebellar Ataxia: Impact on Severity, Balance, and Motor Recovery in Indian Population
Akanksha Nagar1, Jaspreet Singh Vij2, Sulena3
1MPT Neurology, University College of Physiotherapy, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot (Punjab), India
2Associate Professor, University College of Physiotherapy, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot (Punjab), India
3Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot (Punjab), India
Corresponding Author: Akanksha Nagar
ABSTRACT
Background: Cerebellar ataxia is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects motor coordination, leading to challenges in balance, movement, and daily activities. With limited pharmacological treatments available, physical therapy has emerged as a promising approach to manage symptoms and enhance functional abilities in individuals with cerebellar ataxia.
Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a structured physiotherapeutic program in decreasing the severity of ataxia and improving balance, functional independence, functional sitting abilities and gait velocity in patients affected with cerebellar ataxia in Indian rural population.
Methodology: 26 patients of cerebellar ataxia, aged 18–65 years were included as per selection criteria and were randomly divided into two equal groups, Group A(n=13) and Group B(n=13). All the patients were assessed for severity of cerebellar ataxia, balance, functional status along with gait velocity using SARA, BBS, m-FIM and FIST respectively. Group A received Structured Physiotherapy Program whereas Group B received Home Based Exercise Regimen. Both the groups were given interventions for a total of 4 weeks, with 6 sessions per week.
Results: The results showed statistically significant difference in scores of SARA and FIST in group A (t value 3.054 and -4.052 respectively) as well as in group B (2.555 and -2.399 respectively) whereas statistically significant difference was found in the scores of BBS, m-FIM and Gait velocity in group A only.
Conclusion: Structured physiotherapeutic program and home based exercise regimen, both were effective, in decreasing the severity of ataxia and improving functional sitting abilities in patients with cerebellar ataxia. But home based exercise regimen was more efficacious in improving functional sitting abilities. Further, only structured physiotherapeutic program was only effective in improving motor recovery in patients with cerebellar ataxia belonging to rural areas.
Key words: Cerebellar ataxia, Balance, Home based exercises, Motor recovery, Physiotherapy.