Week 3 Ataxia Flashcards
ataxia is caused by
damage to the cerebellum
people with ataxia look…
drunk
what is the role of the cerebellum in motor control
compares movement with the intended outcome, so there is a predictive or anticipatory modification in prep for movement. it adapts to the environment and speed of movement.
what else does the cerebellum do
balance and equilibrium, controls muscle tone, accurate direction, extent and force and timing, and movement composition. speech production and control of eye movement and gaze
what are S/S of a cerebellar infarct?
nausea, ataxia, nystagmus, headaches, ipsilateral to the lesion.
a lateral cerebellar lesion results in
limb ataxia
a vermis or flocculonodular lesion results in
more midline, or drunk gait.
what can we see with cerebellar dysfunction
disorganization of movement, impaired balance, impaired postural control, hypotonicity, dysmetria, decomposition, ataxia, dysdiadokinesia, tremors, dysarthria.
how can we get cerebellar damage
stroke, tumor, structural changes (malformations), toxicity, immune mediated response, trauma, infection, endocrine things (hypothyroidism)
what are some degenerative non hereditary mechanisms of cerebellar damage
multiple systems atrophy (MSA)
idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia
what are some hereditary mechanisms of damage
autosomal dominant/recessive disorders, x-linked disorders.
what is ataxia
without order or incoordination, slurred speech, stumbling, falling, incoordination, trouble eating and swallowing, eye movements abnormal and tumors.
what are the outcome measures we usually us
FIM
balance and postural control measures
gait measures
what are two ataxia specific outcome measures
international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS)
scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia
how do we treat ataxia
treat symptoms, postural stability, gait, balance, accuracy of limb movements, long term motor control training, and supervised, HEP, intensive coordination, and static and dynamic balance. BW supported treadmill
can we treat ataxia with biofeedback
yes, EMG or mirror, and also do it in a corner.
can we treat ataxia with decreasing the DOF
yes
what are some compensatory strategies for treating ataxia
slow it down, reduce the number of things moving at once, widen the BOS, decrease distractions, use AD or orthotics, add weights to the limbs.
