Cerebellar/Vestibular Disorders Flashcards
T/F: Chronic alcoholism can cause dysfunction in cerebellum.
true
T/F: cerebellar lesions tend to produce ipsilateral signs and symptoms.
true
What would be an example of a developmental cerebellar disorder?
ataxic CP, arnold-chiari syndrome
What are the three different parts of the cerebellum, superior to inferior?
PNA
P = paleocerebellum N = neocerebellum A = archicerebellum
Your patient comes in with a chart reading “archicerebellum tumor”. What symptoms might you expect?
archicerebellum = vestibulo piece
- dysfunctional VOR
- poor hand-eye coordination
- gait/trunk ataxia
Your patient has truncal ataxia… what does this look like? What part of cerebellum is affected?
truncal ataxia = dysequilibrium, static postural tremor, increased sway, wide BOS, high guard UEs (worsens in rhomberg positions)
occurs with lesions of paleocerebellum
- also get hypotonia here
Your patient exhibits increased falls, uneven decreased step length, increased step width, and general unsteadiness with gait. What type of gait does this describe?
general ataxic gait
Intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesia, dysmetria, errors in timing, and dyssynergia can be results from a lesion to what part of the cerebellum?
neocerebellum
dyssynergia = abnormal timing (errors of velocity, start, stop)
Those with ataxic/cerebellar dysfunction have trouble controlling what muscles, proximal or distal?
proximal (can’t stabilize so they’re all over the place)
With your patient with ataxia, what are your main goals to work on? (4)
1) improving accuracy of movement
2) improve postural stability/dynamic posture control
3) improve fxnal mobility and safety, esp. transfers/gait
4) stabilize VOR/vision
Your patient with ataxia comes in; what other sensory system should you really check to look for likely impairments?
vision: need to have a good VOR and this can be damaged in cerebellar dysfunction
What kind of exercises can improve proximal stability?
weight bearing postures
What kind of exercises can decrease ataxic movements?
weighted waist belts/ankle and wrist cuffs can decrease these movements
What are characteristics of vestibular disorders?
1) vertigo
2) dizziness
3) visual changes (nystagmus, blurred vision)
4) postural instability
5) anxiety, fear, depression
6) indirect impairments like decreased cervical ROM
Vestibular symptoms are often seen in patients with what other issue?
TBI (30-65%)
