Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Many patients with cerebellar ataxia have dizziness caused by oculomotor or peripheral vestibular deficits; however, there is little evidence supporting the use of vestibular rehabilitation for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with degenerative cerebellar...

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Main Authors: Lisa L. Heusel-Gillig, Courtney D. Hall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Brain Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/11/1520
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author Lisa L. Heusel-Gillig
Courtney D. Hall
author_facet Lisa L. Heusel-Gillig
Courtney D. Hall
author_sort Lisa L. Heusel-Gillig
collection DOAJ
description Many patients with cerebellar ataxia have dizziness caused by oculomotor or peripheral vestibular deficits; however, there is little evidence supporting the use of vestibular rehabilitation for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases improve following rehabilitation including vestibular exercises. A secondary aim was to identify variables associated with the outcomes. A retrospective chart review identified 42 ambulatory patients (23 men and 19 women; mean age = 54.5 ± 14.4 years) with cerebellar degeneration. Fourteen patients had ataxia only, twenty had ataxia and oculomotor abnormalities, and eight had ataxia with oculomotor and peripheral vestibular deficits. Patients received customized physical therapy including balance and gait training, as well as gaze stabilization and habituation exercises for vestibular hypofunction and motion-provoked dizziness. Primary outcome measures (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, Dynamic Gait index, and Sensory Organization Test) were evaluated at baseline and discharge. Patients improved (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on all outcome measures. Patients with vestibular deficits were seen for more visits compared to those with gait ataxia only (7.1 vs. 4.8 visits). This study provides evidence that patients with degenerative cerebellar disease improve in balance confidence, fall risk and sensory integration with therapy that includes vestibular rehabilitation.
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spelling doaj.art-db6451f7b56948fb8841f89b31a488d12023-11-24T14:32:34ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252023-10-011311152010.3390/brainsci13111520Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort StudyLisa L. Heusel-Gillig0Courtney D. Hall1Emory Dizziness and Balance Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30329, USAJames H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN 37684, USAMany patients with cerebellar ataxia have dizziness caused by oculomotor or peripheral vestibular deficits; however, there is little evidence supporting the use of vestibular rehabilitation for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases improve following rehabilitation including vestibular exercises. A secondary aim was to identify variables associated with the outcomes. A retrospective chart review identified 42 ambulatory patients (23 men and 19 women; mean age = 54.5 ± 14.4 years) with cerebellar degeneration. Fourteen patients had ataxia only, twenty had ataxia and oculomotor abnormalities, and eight had ataxia with oculomotor and peripheral vestibular deficits. Patients received customized physical therapy including balance and gait training, as well as gaze stabilization and habituation exercises for vestibular hypofunction and motion-provoked dizziness. Primary outcome measures (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, Dynamic Gait index, and Sensory Organization Test) were evaluated at baseline and discharge. Patients improved (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on all outcome measures. Patients with vestibular deficits were seen for more visits compared to those with gait ataxia only (7.1 vs. 4.8 visits). This study provides evidence that patients with degenerative cerebellar disease improve in balance confidence, fall risk and sensory integration with therapy that includes vestibular rehabilitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/11/1520cerebellar ataxiavestibular rehabilitationbalancegaithabituation exercises
spellingShingle Lisa L. Heusel-Gillig
Courtney D. Hall
Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Brain Sciences
cerebellar ataxia
vestibular rehabilitation
balance
gait
habituation exercises
title Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_full Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_short Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
title_sort effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation for patients with degenerative cerebellar ataxia a retrospective cohort study
topic cerebellar ataxia
vestibular rehabilitation
balance
gait
habituation exercises
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/11/1520
work_keys_str_mv AT lisalheuselgillig effectivenessofvestibularrehabilitationforpatientswithdegenerativecerebellarataxiaaretrospectivecohortstudy
AT courtneydhall effectivenessofvestibularrehabilitationforpatientswithdegenerativecerebellarataxiaaretrospectivecohortstudy