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. 2022 Mar;80(3):306-315.
doi: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2021-0065.

Rehabilitation in patients with cerebellar ataxias

Hsin Fen Chien  1 , Marise Bueno Zonta  2 , Janini Chen  1 , Giovana Diaferia  3 , Celiana Figueiredo Viana  3 , Hélio Afonso Ghizoni Teive  2 , José Luiz Pedroso  3 , Orlando Graziani Povoas Barsottini  3
Affiliations

Rehabilitation in patients with cerebellar ataxias

Hsin Fen Chien et al. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2022 Mar.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Cerebellar ataxias comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, which can be acquired, degenerative, or have a genetic cause, such as spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). Usually, the genetic and neurodegenerative forms of cerebellar ataxias present a progressive and inevitable worsening of the clinical picture so that rehabilitation treatment is fundamental. Rehabilitation treatment includes physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech, voice and swallowing therapy, occupational therapy, and new technologies, such as the use of exergames. The current treatment of patients with cerebellar ataxias, especially neurodegenerative forms, genetic or not, should include these different forms of rehabilitation, with the main objective of improving the quality of life of patients.

As ataxias cerebelares compreendem um grupo heterogêneo de doenças caracterizadas por sintomas motores e não motores, que podem ser adquiridas, degenerativas ou ter uma causa genética, como as ataxias espinocerebelares (AEC). Normalmente, as formas genéticas e neurodegenerativas de ataxias cerebelares apresentam uma piora progressiva e inexorável do quadro clínico e o tratamento com reabilitação é fundamental. O tratamento com reabilitação inclui a fisioterapia, fisioterapia respiratória, fonoterapia, terapia ocupacional e novas tecnologias, como o uso de exergames. O tratamento atual de pacientes com ataxias cerebelares, em particular as formas neurodegenerativas, genéticas ou não, deve incluir essas diferentes formas de reabilitação, com o objetivo principal de melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: There is no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Example of coordination and balance training exercise.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Example of coordination and balance training exercises. 1) Static balance: standing on 1 leg; 2) Dynamic balance: sidesteps; 3) Steps to prevent falling and falling strategies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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