Rehabilitation in patients with cerebellar ataxias

ABSTRACT

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.

RESUMO

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.

Keywords:

Cerebellar Ataxia - Rehabilitation - Physical Therapy Specialty - Speech Therapy - Occupational Therapy

Palavras-chave:

Ataxia Cerebelar - Reabilitação - Especialidade de Fisioterapia - Fonoterapia - Terapia Ocupacional

Authors’ contributions:

HFC: conception, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, drafting of the article, critical revision of the article, final approval of the version to be published; MBZ, JC, GD, CFV: drafting the article, critical revision of the article, final approval of the version to be published; HAGT: critical revision of the article, final approval of the version to be published; JLP, OGPB: conception, drafting of the article, critical revision of the article, final approval of the version to be published.

Publication History

Received: 15 February 2021

Accepted: 13 May 2021

Article published online:
30 January 2023

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