Retraining Reaching in Cerebellar Ataxia
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
Summary
The purpose of this study is to test for benefits of reinforcement based training paradigm versus standard practice over weeks for improving reaching movements in people with ataxia.
Description
Damage to the cerebellum produces characteristic deficits in movement coordination, known as "ataxia." Reaching movements become curved, tremulous, and over- or undershoot targets, thus affecting nearly all activities of daily living. Sitting and standing balance becomes unsteady, and walking has a characteristic 'drunken' appearance with lateral veering and a widening of the base of support. People with many types of neurological diseases (e.g. autosomal dominant ataxias (e.g. SCAs), multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, Freidreich's ataxia) often have disabling ataxia. In past work th…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 22–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Cerebellar damage from stroke, tumor or degeneration * Age 22-80 Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical or MRI evidence of damage to extracerebellar brain (e.g. multiple system atrophy) * Extrapyramidal symptoms, peripheral vestibular loss, or sensory neuropathy * Dementia ( Mini-Mental State exam \> 22) * Pain that interferes with the tasks * Vision loss that interferes with the tasks
Interventions
- BehavioralReach training with visual feedback
Reach training will be accomplished using an Oculus Rift and Touch 3D headset. Active markers will be placed on the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger in order to capture limb movement in real time. During each training session, participants will first be familiarized with the task and then will reach from a home position to 4 virtual targets that are presented in the front of the participant and within the workspace where most natural arm movements are performed.Targets will be presented in a pseudorandom order and participants will reach a total of 400 times
Location
- Motion Analysis Lab in the Kennedy Krieger InstituteBaltimore, Maryland