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Honda T, Matsumura K, Hashimoto Y, Yokota T, Mizusawa H, Nagao S, Ishikawa K. Temporal Relationship between Impairment of Cerebellar Motor Learning and Deterioration of Ataxia in Patients with Cerebellar Degeneration. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:1280-1292. [PMID: 37115382 PMCID: PMC11269492 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01545-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Ataxia and impaired motor learning are both fundamental features in diseases affecting the cerebellum. However, it remains unclarified whether motor learning is impaired only when ataxia clearly manifests, nor it is known whether the progression of ataxia, the speed of which often varies among patients with the same disease, can be monitored by examining motor learning. We evaluated motor learning and ataxia at intervals of several months in 40 patients with degenerative conditions [i.e., multiple system atrophy (MSA), Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), SCA6, and SCA31]. Motor learning was quantified as the adaptability index (AI) in the prism adaptation task and ataxia was scored using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). We found that AI decreased most markedly in both MSA-C and MSA-P, moderately in MJD, and mildly in SCA6 and SCA31. Overall, the AI decrease occurred more rapidly than the SARA score increase. Interestingly, AIs remained normal in purely parkinsonian MSA-P patients (n = 4), but they dropped into the ataxia range when these patients started to show ataxia. The decrease in AI during follow-up (dAI/dt) was significant in patients with SARA scores < 10.5 compared with patients with SARA scores ≥ 10.5, indicating that AI is particularly useful for diagnosing the earlier phase of cerebellar degeneration. We conclude that AI is a useful marker for progressions of cerebellar diseases, and that evaluating the motor learning of patients can be particularly valuable for detecting cerebellar impairment, which is often masked by parkinsonisms and other signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Honda
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Basic Technology Research Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
- Laboratory for Higher Brain Function, Nozomi Hospital, Ina, Kitaadachi-Gun, Saitama, 362-0806, Japan
- The Center for Personalized Medicine for Healthy Aging, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Ken Matsumura
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, 2-1-1 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-0057, Japan
| | - Yuji Hashimoto
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Takanori Yokota
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Mizusawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8551, Japan
| | - Soichi Nagao
- Laboratory for Higher Brain Function, Nozomi Hospital, Ina, Kitaadachi-Gun, Saitama, 362-0806, Japan
| | - Kinya Ishikawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
- The Center for Personalized Medicine for Healthy Aging, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
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L'Italien GJ, Oikonomou EK, Khera R, Potashman MH, Beiner MW, Maclaine GDH, Schmahmann JD, Perlman S, Coric V. Video-Based Kinematic Analysis of Movement Quality in a Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Troriluzole in Adults with Spinocerebellar Ataxia: A Post Hoc Analysis. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:1287-1301. [PMID: 38814532 PMCID: PMC11263303 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00625-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traditional methods for assessing movement quality rely on subjective standardized scales and clinical expertise. This limitation creates challenges for assessing patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), in whom changes in mobility can be subtle and varied. We hypothesized that a machine learning analytic system might complement traditional clinician-rated measures of gait. Our objective was to use a video-based assessment of gait dispersion to compare the effects of troriluzole with placebo on gait quality in adults with SCA. METHODS Participants with SCA underwent gait assessment in a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of troriluzole (NCT03701399). Videos were processed through a deep learning pose extraction algorithm, followed by the estimation of a novel gait stability measure, the Pose Dispersion Index, quantifying the frame-by-frame symmetry, balance, and stability during natural and tandem walk tasks. The effects of troriluzole treatment were assessed in mixed linear models, participant-level grouping, and treatment group-by-visit week interaction adjusted for age, sex, baseline modified Functional Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (f-SARA), and time since diagnosis. RESULTS From 218 randomized participants, 67 and 56 participants had interpretable videos of a tandem and natural walk attempt, respectively. At Week 48, individuals assigned to troriluzole exhibited significant (p = 0.010) improvement in tandem walk Pose Dispersion Index versus placebo {adjusted interaction coefficient: 0.584 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.137 to 1.031]}. A similar, nonsignificant trend was observed in the natural walk assessment [coefficient: 1.198 (95% CI - 1.067 to 3.462)]. Further, lower baseline Pose Dispersion Index during the natural walk was significantly (p = 0.041) associated with a higher risk of subsequent falls [adjusted Poisson coefficient: - 0.356 [95% CI - 0.697 to - 0.014)]. CONCLUSION Using this novel approach, troriluzole-treated subjects demonstrated improvement in gait as compared to placebo for the tandem walk. Machine learning applied to video-captured gait parameters can complement clinician-reported motor assessment in adults with SCA. The Pose Dispersion Index may enhance assessment in future research. TRIAL REGISTRATION-CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03701399.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert J L'Italien
- Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 215 Church Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | | | | | - Michele H Potashman
- Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 215 Church Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Melissa W Beiner
- Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 215 Church Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | | | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Ataxia Center, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Perlman
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vladimir Coric
- Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 215 Church Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
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Omofuma I, Santamaria V, Ai X, Agrawal S. Training Postural Balance Control with Pelvic Force Field at the Boundary of Stability. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1398. [PMID: 38135989 PMCID: PMC10740507 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10121398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study characterizes the effects of a postural training program on balance and muscle control strategies in a virtual reality (VR) environment. The Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST), which applies perturbative forces on the trunk and assistive forces on the pelvis, was used to deliver perturbation-based balance training (PBT) in a sample of 10 healthy participants. The VR task consisted of catching, aiming, and throwing a ball at a target. All participants received trunk perturbations during the VR task with forces tailored to the participant's maximum tolerance. A subgroup of these participants additionally received assistive forces at the pelvis during training. Postural kinematics were calculated before and after RobUST training, including (i) maximum perturbation force tolerated, (ii) center of pressure (COP) and pelvic excursions, (iii) postural muscle activations (EMG), and (iv) postural control strategies (the ankle and hip strategies). We observed an improvement in the maximum perturbation force and postural stability area in both groups and decreases in muscle activity. The behavior of the two groups differed for perturbations in the posterior direction where the unassisted group moved towards greater use of the hip strategy. In addition, the assisted group changed towards a lower margin of stability and higher pelvic excursion. We show that training with force assistance leads to a reactive balance strategy that permits pelvic excursion but that is efficient at restoring balance from displaced positions while training without assistance leads to reactive balance strategies that restrain pelvic excursion. Patient populations can benefit from a platform that encourages greater use of their range of motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isirame Omofuma
- Rehabilitation and Robotics (ROAR) Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, Rm 220, New York, NY 10025, USA;
| | - Victor Santamaria
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences and Practice, New York Medical College, New York, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Xupeng Ai
- Rehabilitation and Robotics (ROAR) Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, Rm 220, New York, NY 10025, USA;
| | - Sunil Agrawal
- Rehabilitation and Robotics (ROAR) Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, Rm 220, New York, NY 10025, USA;
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Cabaraux P, Agrawal SK, Cai H, Calabro RS, Casali C, Damm L, Doss S, Habas C, Horn AKE, Ilg W, Louis ED, Mitoma H, Monaco V, Petracca M, Ranavolo A, Rao AK, Ruggieri S, Schirinzi T, Serrao M, Summa S, Strupp M, Surgent O, Synofzik M, Tao S, Terasi H, Torres-Russotto D, Travers B, Roper JA, Manto M. Consensus Paper: Ataxic Gait. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 22:394-430. [PMID: 35414041 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01373-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this consensus paper is to discuss the roles of the cerebellum in human gait, as well as its assessment and therapy. Cerebellar vermis is critical for postural control. The cerebellum ensures the mapping of sensory information into temporally relevant motor commands. Mental imagery of gait involves intrinsically connected fronto-parietal networks comprising the cerebellum. Muscular activities in cerebellar patients show impaired timing of discharges, affecting the patterning of the synergies subserving locomotion. Ataxia of stance/gait is amongst the first cerebellar deficits in cerebellar disorders such as degenerative ataxias and is a disabling symptom with a high risk of falls. Prolonged discharges and increased muscle coactivation may be related to compensatory mechanisms and enhanced body sway, respectively. Essential tremor is frequently associated with mild gait ataxia. There is growing evidence for an important role of the cerebellar cortex in the pathogenesis of essential tremor. In multiple sclerosis, balance and gait are affected due to cerebellar and spinal cord involvement, as a result of disseminated demyelination and neurodegeneration impairing proprioception. In orthostatic tremor, patients often show mild-to-moderate limb and gait ataxia. The tremor generator is likely located in the posterior fossa. Tandem gait is impaired in the early stages of cerebellar disorders and may be particularly useful in the evaluation of pre-ataxic stages of progressive ataxias. Impaired inter-joint coordination and enhanced variability of gait temporal and kinetic parameters can be grasped by wearable devices such as accelerometers. Kinect is a promising low cost technology to obtain reliable measurements and remote assessments of gait. Deep learning methods are being developed in order to help clinicians in the diagnosis and decision-making process. Locomotor adaptation is impaired in cerebellar patients. Coordinative training aims to improve the coordinative strategy and foot placements across strides, cerebellar patients benefiting from intense rehabilitation therapies. Robotic training is a promising approach to complement conventional rehabilitation and neuromodulation of the cerebellum. Wearable dynamic orthoses represent a potential aid to assist gait. The panel of experts agree that the understanding of the cerebellar contribution to gait control will lead to a better management of cerebellar ataxias in general and will likely contribute to use gait parameters as robust biomarkers of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Cabaraux
- Unité Des Ataxies Cérébelleuses, Department of Neurology, CHU de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium.
| | | | - Huaying Cai
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | | | - Carlo Casali
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Latina, Italy
| | - Loic Damm
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines Ales, Montpellier, France
| | - Sarah Doss
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
| | - Christophe Habas
- Université Versailles Saint-Quentin, Versailles, France.,Service de NeuroImagerie, Centre Hospitalier National des 15-20, Paris, France
| | - Anja K E Horn
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology I, Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Winfried Ilg
- Section Computational Sensomotorics, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hiroshi Mitoma
- Department of Medical Education, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Vito Monaco
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Petracca
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Ashwini K Rao
- Department of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine (Programs in Physical Therapy), Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Serena Ruggieri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Neuroimmunology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Schirinzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Latina, Italy.,Movement Analysis LAB, Policlinico Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Summa
- MARlab, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Hospital of the Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olivia Surgent
- Neuroscience Training Program and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Centre of Neurology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shuai Tao
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Smart Medical and Health, Dalian University, Dalian, 116622, China
| | - Hiroo Terasi
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Diego Torres-Russotto
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
| | - Brittany Travers
- Department of Kinesiology and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jaimie A Roper
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Mario Manto
- Unité Des Ataxies Cérébelleuses, Department of Neurology, CHU de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium.,Service Des Neurosciences, University of Mons, UMons, Mons, Belgium
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Chen ML, Lin CC, Rosenthal LS, Opal P, Kuo SH. Rating scales and biomarkers for CAG-repeat spinocerebellar ataxias: Implications for therapy development. J Neurol Sci 2021; 424:117417. [PMID: 33836316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of dominantly-inherited cerebellar ataxias, among which CAG expansion-related SCAs are most common. These diseases have very high penetrance with defined disease progression, and emerging therapies are being developed to provide either symptomatic or disease-modifying benefits. In clinical trial design, it is crucial to incorporate biomarkers to test target engagement or track disease progression in response to therapies, especially in rare diseases such as SCAs. In this article, we review the available rating scales and recent advances of biomarkers in CAG-repeat SCAs. We divided biomarkers into neuroimaging, body fluid, and physiological studies. Understanding the utility of each biomarker will facilitate the design of robust clinical trials to advance therapies for SCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Ling Chen
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chih-Chun Lin
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liana S Rosenthal
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Miyake T, Aprigliano F, Sugano S, Micera S, Monaco V. Repeated exposure to tripping like perturbations elicits more precise control and lower toe clearance of the swinging foot during steady walking. Hum Mov Sci 2021; 76:102775. [PMID: 33631422 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2021.102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Controlling minimum toe clearance (MTC) is considered an important factor in preventing tripping. In the current study, we investigated modifications of neuro-muscular control underlying toe clearance during steady locomotion induced by repeated exposure to tripping-like perturbations of the right swing foot. Fourteen healthy young adults (mean age 26.4 ± 3.1 years) participated in the study. The experimental protocol consisted of three identical trials, each involving three phases: steady walking (baseline), perturbation, and steady walking (post-perturbation). During the perturbation, participants experienced 30 tripping-like perturbations at unexpected timing delivered by a custom-made mechatronic perturbation device. The temporal parameters (cadence and stance phase%), mean, and standard deviation of MTC were computed across approximately 90 strides collected during both baseline and post-perturbation phases, for all trials. The effects of trial (three levels), phase (two levels: baseline and post-perturbation) and foot (two levels: right and left) on the outcome variables were analyzed using a three-way repeated measures analysis of variance. The results revealed that exposure to repeated trip-like perturbations modified MTC toward more precise control and lower toe clearance of the swinging foot, which appeared to reflect both the expectation of potential forthcoming perturbations and a quicker compensatory response in cases of a lack of balance. Moreover, locomotion control enabled subjects to maintain symmetric rhythmic features during post-perturbation steady walking. Finally, the effects of exposure to perturbation quickly disappeared among consecutive trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamon Miyake
- Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | - Shigeki Sugano
- Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Silvestro Micera
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational NeuroEngineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vito Monaco
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
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7
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Im CH, Park JH. Effects of a Perturbation-Based Balance Training on Compensatory Postural Responses to Backward Loss of Balance in Patients with Cerebellar Disease: A Case Study. THE ASIAN JOURNAL OF KINESIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.15758/ajk.2021.23.1.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The damage to the cerebellum primarily results in balance-related abnormalities that may affect performance of locomotion and postural adjustments, eventually contributing to an increased risk of fall and fear of falling in patients with cerebellar disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a perturbation-based training that induced backward loss of balance on compensatory postural responses in patients with cerebellar disease.METHODS The participant was a 51-year-old female diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia and had the disease for 19 years. The perturbation-based backward balance training was performed over 8 weeks (a total of 24 training sessions) in order to facilitate the perception of postural perturbation onset and execution of rapid compensatory responses.RESULTS The patient demonstrated a noticeable reduction in the number of steps required to recover body balance after postural disturbances. The reduction of multi-step reactions in recovering balance could be attributed to improvements in the body center-of-mass displacement and trunk control during the landing of step. Besides, there were also improvements in subjective measures of functional mobility and psychological well-being after the balance training.CONCLUSION Although current research evidence of balance rehabilitation for cerebellar patients is lacking, this study offers the feasibility of adaptive training to improve postural stability through task-specific training intervention.
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Rubega M, Di Marco R, Zampini M, Formaggio E, Menegatti E, Bonato P, Masiero S, Del Felice A. Muscular and cortical activation during dynamic and static balance in the elderly: A scoping review. AGING BRAIN 2021; 1:100013. [PMID: 36911521 PMCID: PMC9997172 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2021.100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Falls due to balance impairment are a major cause of injury and disability in the elderly. The study of neurophysiological correlates during static and dynamic balance tasks is an emerging area of research that could lead to novel rehabilitation strategies and reduce fall risk. This review aims to highlight key concepts and identify gaps in the current knowledge of balance control in the elderly that could be addressed by relying on surface electromyographic (EMG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. The neurophysiological hypotheses underlying balance studies in the elderly as well as the methodologies, findings, and limitations of prior work are herein addressed. The literature shows: 1) a wide heterogeneity in the experimental procedures, protocols, and analyses; 2) a paucity of studies involving the investigation of cortical activity; 3) aging-related alterations of cortical activation during balance tasks characterized by lower cortico-muscular coherence and increased allocation of attentional control to postural tasks in the elderly; and 4) EMG patterns characterized by delayed onset after perturbations, increased levels of activity, and greater levels of muscle co-activation in the elderly compared to younger adults. EMG and EEG recordings are valuable tools to monitor muscular and cortical activity during the performance of balance tasks. However, standardized protocols and analysis techniques should be agreed upon and shared by the scientific community to provide reliable and reproducible results. This will allow researchers to gain a comprehensive knowledge on the neurophysiological changes affecting static and dynamic balance in the elderly and will inform the design of rehabilitative and preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rubega
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, IT, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, IT, Italy
| | - Marianna Zampini
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, IT, Italy
| | - Emanuela Formaggio
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, IT, Italy
| | - Emanuele Menegatti
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, IT, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonato
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Stefano Masiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, IT, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, IT, Italy
| | - Alessandra Del Felice
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, IT, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, IT, Italy
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9
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Monaco V, Aprigliano F, Lofrumento M, Martelli D, Micera S. Uncontrolled manifold analysis of the effects of a perturbation-based training on the organization of leg joint variance in cerebellar ataxia. Exp Brain Res 2020; 239:501-513. [PMID: 33245386 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05965-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Walking patterns of persons affected by cerebellar ataxia (CA) are characterized by wide stride-to-stride variability ascribable to: the background pathology-related sensory-motor noise; the motor redundancy, i.e., an excess of elemental degrees of freedom that overcomes the number of variables underlying a specific task performance. In this study, we first tested the hypothesis that healthy and, especially, CA subjects can effectively exploit solutions in the domain of segmental angles to stabilize the position of either the foot or the pelvis (task performance) across heel strikes, in accordance with the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) theory. Next, we verified whether a specific perturbation-based training allows CA subjects to further take advantage of this coordination mechanism to better cope with their inherent pathology-related variability. Results always rejected the hypothesis of pelvis stabilization whereas supported the idea that the foot position is stabilized across heel strikes by a synergic covariation of elevation and azimuth angles of lower limb segments in CA subjects only. In addition, it was observed that the perturbation-based training involves a decreasing trend in the variance component orthogonal to the UCM in both groups, reflecting an improved accuracy of the foot control. Concluding, CA subjects can effectively structure the wide amount of pathology-related sensory-motor noise to stabilize specific task performance, such as the foot position across heel strikes. Moreover, the promising effects of the proposed perturbation-based training paradigm are expected to improve the coordinative strategy underlying the stabilization of the foot position across strides, thus ameliorating balance control during treadmill locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Monaco
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Excellence in Robotics&AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Margherita Lofrumento
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura del Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Martelli
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Silvestro Micera
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence in Robotics&AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational NeuroEngineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Honda T, Mitoma H, Yoshida H, Bando K, Terashi H, Taguchi T, Miyata Y, Kumada S, Hanakawa T, Aizawa H, Yano S, Kondo T, Mizusawa H, Manto M, Kakei S. Assessment and Rating of Motor Cerebellar Ataxias With the Kinect v2 Depth Sensor: Extending Our Appraisal. Front Neurol 2020; 11:179. [PMID: 32218767 PMCID: PMC7078683 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current assessment of patients with cerebellar disorders is based on conventional neurological examination that is dependent on subjective judgements. Quantitative measurement of cerebellar ataxias (CAs) is essential for assessment of evidence-based treatments and the monitoring of the progress or recovery of diseases. It may provide us a useful tool to navigate future treatments for ataxia. We developed a Kinect v2. sensor system with a novel algorithm to measure and evaluate movements for two tests of Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA): the nose-finger test and gait. For the nose-finger test, we evaluated and compared accuracy, regularities and smoothness in the movements of the index finger and the proximal limbs between cerebellar patients and control subjects. For the task of walking, we evaluated and compared stability between the two groups. The precision of the system for evaluation of movements was smaller than 2 mm. For the nose-finger test, the mildly affected patients tended to show more instability than the control subjects. For a severely affected patient, our system quantified the instability of movements of the index finger using kinematic parameters, such as fluctuations and average speed. The average speed appears to be the most sensitive parameter that contrasts between patients with CAs and control subjects. Furthermore, our system also detected the adventitious movements of more proximal body parts, such as the elbow, shoulder and head. Assessment of walking was possible only in patients with mild CAs. They demonstrated large sways and compensatory wide stances. These parameters appeared to show higher accuracy than SARA. This examiner-independent device measures movements of the points of interest of SARA more accurately than eye and further provides additional information about the ataxic movements (e.g., the adventitious movements of the elbow, shoulder and head in the nose-finger test and the wide-based walking with large oscillation in the gait task), which is out of the scope of SARA. Our new system enables more accurate scoring of SARA and further provides additional information that is not currently evaluated with SARA. Therefore, it provides an easier, more accurate and more systematic description of CAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Honda
- Movement Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center (IBIC), National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mitoma
- Medical Education Promotion Center, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yoshida
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyota Bando
- Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center (IBIC), National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroo Terashi
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Taguchi
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohane Miyata
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Kumada
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Hanakawa
- Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center (IBIC), National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiro Yano
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Kondo
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Mizusawa
- National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mario Manto
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Shinji Kakei
- Movement Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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