The role of robotic gait training and tDCS in Friedrich ataxia rehabilitation: A case report

Simona Portaro;Margherita Russo;Alessia Bramanti;Antonio Leo;Luana Billeri;Alfredo Manuli;Gianluca La Rosa;Antonino Naro;Rocco Calabrò; Medicine. 98(8):e14447, FEB 2019 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014447, Publication Date: 2019/02/01

Friedrich ataxia (FA) is the most common inherited neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxic syndrome. In patients with FA, physiotherapy is highly recommended to improve motor function outcome. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been demonstrated to be effective in improving symptoms by modulating cerebellar excitability. Recently, robotic rehabilitation with Lokomat-Pro has been used to treat motor impairment in ataxic syndromes by “modulating” cortical plasticity and cerebello-motor connectivity.
Only a single case is described, we found that the combined neuromodulation-neurorobotic approach could become a promising tool in the rehabilitation of cerebellar ataxias, possibly by shaping cerebello-cerebral plasticity and connectivity.



The role of robotic gait training and tDCS in Friedrich ataxia rehabilitation: A case report