Week 2: Motor impairments arising cerebellar dysfunction

Question 1

What is ataxia?

Answer 1

An abnormal condition affecting timing, amplitude, accuracy and force of movements

Question 2

What can cause ataxia?

Answer 2

• cerebellar damage
• TBI
• stroke
• degenerative diseases (e.g. Frdriech ataxia, spinocerebellar atxia)
• alcohol abuse (cerebellar degeneration)

Question 3

What is dysmertia?

Answer 3

disorder of movement termination (trouble stopping a movement)

Question 4

What is rebound phenomenon?

Answer 4

Delayed antagonist response

Question 5

What is disdiadochokinesia?

Answer 5

Decreased coordination of rapid alternating movements

Question 6

What is dyssynerigia or decomposition of movement?

Answer 6

Decreased coordination of timing of onset and offset of antagonists and agonists (loss of smoothness in movements)

Question 7

What is dysarthria?

Answer 7

Decreased coordination of speech production mm. and decreased coordination between speech and resipiration

Question 8

What is nystagmus?

Answer 8

Oscillatory movement of the eyes

Question 9

How would you train a Pt. w/ataxia?

Answer 9

Whole task training and increase skill (automaticity of performance for COORDINATION