The Effect of Cycling Priming Coordination Training on Ataxia and Brain Plasticity

Overall Response Time

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks

The sum of reaction time and movement time, providing a complete measure of the time taken from the stimulus presentation to the completion of the response. Unit: Second(s)

Overall Error Rate

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks

The total proportion of incorrect responses across a testing session or series of tasks.

Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs)

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks

MEPs are the electrical responses recorded from muscles following stimulation of the motor cortex. They reflect the efficiency of neural transmission from the cortex to the muscle. Unit: millivolts (mV).

Intracortical Facilitation (ICF)

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks

ICF is measured by applying a pair of TMS pulses with a short interval (e.g., 8-15 ms) where the first (subthreshold) pulse is followed by a second (suprathreshold) pulse, leading to an increased amplitude of the MEP.

Intracortical Inhibition (ICI)

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

ICI is measured similarly to ICF but with a shorter inter-stimulus interval (e.g., 1-5 ms), resulting in a suppressed MEP amplitude. This suppression reflects inhibitory processes within the cortex.

Total Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) Score

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

To objectively assess ataxia severity across various domains of motor function including gait, stance, sitting, speech disturbance, finger chase, nose-finger test, fast alternating hand movements, and heel-shin slide. Each item is scored individually with a scale that typically ranges from 0 (no ataxia) to a maximum score that depends on the severity and the aspect of ataxia being assessed. The total score ranges from 0 (no ataxia) to 40 (most severe ataxia).

Total Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

To measure an individual's balance abilities through various tasks that mimic daily activities, assessing the risk of falls and overall balance proficiency. The BBS consists of 14 items that evaluate a range of functions including sitting to standing, standing unsupported, transferring, turning to look behind, picking up an object from the floor, and standing on one leg. Each task is rated on a scale from 0 (unable) to 4 (independent), with the total score ranging from 0 to 56. A higher total score indicates better balance and lower fall risk. Scores below 45 are generally indicative of increased fall risk.

Total Time to Complete the Time Up and Go test (TUG test)

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

The time, in seconds, it takes for a participant to complete the TUG test from the initial sitting position to returning to the seated position. An older adult who takes ≥12 seconds to complete the TUG is at risk for falling.

Walking Speed

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

The time taken by participants to walk a standardized distance, typically expressed in centimeters per second (cm/s).

Step Length

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

The linear distance between the two ankles, typically expressed in centimeter(cm).

Step Time

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

The duration taken for one complete step, measuring from foot-off of one foot to the next foot-off of the same foot, usually expressed in seconds.

Fatigue Level Measurement Using Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI)

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

The MFI is a 20-item self-report questionnaire used to measure five dimensions of fatigue: general fatigue, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, reduced activity, and reduced motivation. Each dimension is scored separately, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue

Sleep Quality Measurement Using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks

The PSQI is a 19-item self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a 1-month period. It generates a global score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. The PSQI includes seven components: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction.