Effects of High Intensity Stepping Training on Gait in Patients With Ataxia

Not Applicable

Completed

Interventions: Device: Polar H10 heart rate monitor
Device: Therastride Treadmill System
Device: VECTOR Bioness

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of high intensity stepping training on gait recovery, including walking speed and endurance, in patients with cerebellar ataxia. The hypothesis is that there will be a significant improvement in gait outcome measures (6 Minute Walk Test and 10 Meter Walk Test) in patients who receive high-intensity stepping training during physical therapy.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

diagnosis of ataxia
admitted to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Texas Medical Center (TMC) Inpatient or TIRR Kirby Glenn Outpatient
pathology that primarily affects the brain/cerebellum, including degenerative diseases, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posterior fossa tumor, and multiple sclerosis (MS)
ambulatory at initial evaluation or will have functional ambulation goals at initial evaluation (as noted by 10 meter walk test and 6 minute walk test measures documented as 0)
chronicity of injury will be of at least 1 month or greater

Exclusion Criteria

diagnoses that may have cerebellar involvement but without cerebellar ataxia as a principal impairment such as autism, down syndrome, schizophrenia, etc
non ambulatory or who are not able to participate in high intensity stepping training due to cardiac involvement (such as cardiac rehabilitation parameters) or due to orthopedic limitations (such as weight bearing parameters)

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
High intensity stepping program	VECTOR Bioness	The arm involves the use of the Polar heart rate monitor, the Therastride Treadmill System, OR the VECTOR Bioness * The device utilized will be determine by how much assistance the participant needs. * Some participants will not be utilizing any equipment other than a Polar heart rate monitor to collect heart rate data if they are already ambulating.
High intensity stepping program	Therastride Treadmill System	The arm involves the use of the Polar heart rate monitor, the Therastride Treadmill System, OR the VECTOR Bioness * The device utilized will be determine by how much assistance the participant needs. * Some participants will not be utilizing any equipment other than a Polar heart rate monitor to collect heart rate data if they are already ambulating.
High intensity stepping program	Polar H10 heart rate monitor	The arm involves the use of the Polar heart rate monitor, the Therastride Treadmill System, OR the VECTOR Bioness * The device utilized will be determine by how much assistance the participant needs. * Some participants will not be utilizing any equipment other than a Polar heart rate monitor to collect heart rate data if they are already ambulating.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Walking Speed in Meters Per Second as Assessed by the 10 Meter Walk Test(10MWT)	Baseline, 3 weeks	Participant is asked to walk a distance of 10 meters and the speed is measured by dividing the distance covered by the time taken.
Distance Walked in Feet as Assessed by the the Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT)	Baseline, 3 weeks	Participants will be asked to walk as far as possible for 6 minutes. Longer distance walked shows better outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ataxia as Assessed by the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA)	Baseline, 3 weeks	Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) measures ataxia with a total score that ranges from 0 (no ataxia) to 40 (most severe ataxia). A higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Ability to Balance as Assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	Baseline, 3 weeks	Berg Balance Scale measures balance with a total score that ranges from 0 to 56. A higher score indicates better balance.