Friday, December 18, 2020

Rehabilitation for ataxia study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of an outpatient and supported home-based physiotherapy programme for people with hereditary cerebellar ataxia

Sarah C Milne1, Louise A Corben, Melissa Roberts, David Szmulewicz, J Burns, Anneke C Grobler, Shannon Williams, Jillian Chua, Christina Liang, Phillipa J Lamont, Alison C Grootendorst, Libby Massey, Carolyn Sue, Kim Dalziel, Desiree LaGrappe, Liz Willis, Aleka Freijah, Paul Gerken, Martin B Delatycki. BMJ Open 2020;10:e040230. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040230

Emerging evidence indicates that rehabilitation can improve ataxia, mobility and independence in everyday activities in individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxia. However, with the rarity of the genetic ataxias and known recruitment challenges in rehabilitation trials, most studies have been underpowered, non-randomised or non-controlled. This study will be the first, appropriately powered randomised controlled trial to examine the efficacy of an outpatient and home-based rehabilitation programme on improving motor function for individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxia.