Ataxia Flashcards
What does Ataxia often cause?
- Clumsiness and difficulty with balance
- Walking
- Speech
- Eye movements
What does Ataxia caused by?
Caused by cerebellar dysfunction or impaired vestibular or proprioceptive afferent input to cerebellum.
(Stems from damage to the cerebellum or its connections)
What are the causes of sensory ataxia?
Loss of proprioception
(e.g., peripheral neuropathy, posterior column lesion)
What are the causes of cerebellar ataxia?
Cerebellar dysfunction
(e.g.: stroke, degeneration, alcohol-induced damage)
What are the causes of vestibular ataxia?
Vestibular system dysfunction
(e.g.: vestibular neuritis)
How is gait affected with sensory ataxia?
- High-stepping
- Unsteady
- Worse in dark
How is gait affected with cerebellar ataxia?
- Wide-based
- Unsteady
- Irregular steps
How is gait affected with vestibular ataxia?
- Unsteady
- Veering to one side
What is the result of the Romberg test with sensory ataxia?
Positive
- Worsens when eyes are closed
What is the result of the Romberg test with cerebellar ataxia?
Negative
- Ataxia present with eyes open + closed
What is the result of the Romberg test with vestibular ataxia?
Negative
How is coordination affected with sensory ataxia?
Clumsy movements, but improves with visual feedback
How is coordination affected with cerebellar ataxia?
- Dysmetria
- Dysdiadochokinesia
- Intention tremor
How is coordination affected with vestibular ataxia?
Unaffected/Normal limb coordination
Is there nystagmus with sensory ataxia?
Absent
Is there nystagmus with cerebellar ataxia?
Present (multidirectional)
Is there nystagmus with vestibular ataxia?
Present (horizontal)
Is there vertigo with sensory ataxia?
Absent
Is there vertigo with cerebellar ataxia?
Absent
Is there vertigo with vestibular ataxia?
Present (often severe with nausea)
What are some other features of sensory ataxia?
- Loss of vibration sense
- Loss of proprioception
What are some other features of cerebellar ataxia?
- Slurred speech
- Scanning dysarthria
- Rebound phenomenon
What are some other features of vestibular ataxia?
- Associated with nausea
- Vomiting
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss (if peripheral)
What are the S&S of cerebellar ataxia related to?
The location of the lesions in the cerebellum
What causes ipsilateral S&S of cerebellar ataxia?
Lateralised lesions
What S&S do lateralised lesions causing cerebellar ataxia cause?
Ipsilateral
What S&S do diffuse lesions give rise to in cerebellar ataxia?
More generalised symmetric symptoms
What is effective for physios to focus on when training patients with ataxia to alleviate their symptoms?
- Balance
- Aerobic
- Muscle strength
- Coordination
- Gait
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
What has been shown to be beneficial to improve balance among individuals with acquired cerebellar ataxia?
Conventional therapeutic exercises plus additional therapies:
- Lumbar stabilisation
- Task-orientated training
- Therapist-assisted gait training
- Robotic-assisted gait training
What is Ataxia?
A neurological sign characterized by a lack of coordination in voluntary muscle movements.
