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Motor Function Improvement in Children with Ataxia Receiving Interval Rehabilitation, Including Vibration-Assisted
Kyriakos Martakis1,2,3,4, Christina Stark1, Evelyn Alberg3
1University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, Cologne, Germany.
Background:
Physiotherapy, including vibration-assisted therapy, has been proven to be effective for patients with ataxic cerebral palsy. Herewith, we studied the effect of a functional, goal-oriented interval rehabilitation program, including vibration-assisted home-training on the motor function of children with congenital ataxias.
Patients:
45 children (mean age 7.7 years, SD 4.70) with ataxia, having received a 6-month home-based side-alternating vibration-assisted therapy combined with intensive, goal-oriented, functional rehabilitation intervals, were included in the study, classified according to the progressive or non-progressive ataxia character.
Method:
Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data of the registry of the Cologne rehabilitation program "Auf die Beine". Motor abilities have been assessed prior to the intervention (M0), after 6 months of home-training (M6) as well as in a follow-up 6 months later (M12). We performed a gait analysis, a 1-minute walking test (1-MWT), and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66).
Results:
The GMFM-66 improvement (M6-M0 vs. M12-M6) was statistically significant with median improvement of 2.4 points (non-progressive) and 2.9 points (progressive) respectively, and clinically relevant. The 1-MWT improvement was statistically significant and clinically relevant for non-progressive ataxia.
Conclusion:
The intensive training, including vibration-assisted therapy significantly improved the motor function of children with ataxia. Six months later the skills were preserved in children with progressive ataxia and could be further developed in non-progressive forms.
