Rehab Abid

M-17940

Submitted to: Dr. Wajeeha Zia

SUBMITTED ON: 01-05-2020
SUBJECT: KINESIOLOGY -II
SEMESTER -II
SECTION-B
Motor Ataxia
Motor ataxia is a disorder in which dysfunction or impairment of vestibular or proprioceptive
afferent input to the cerebellum occurs. Loss of function of cerebellum will lead to loss of
coordinating impulses from cerebellum. Due to this the muscles will become hypotonic and the
fixation of posture will occur. This will lead to irregular swaying and inaccurate movements.

Physical therapy
Rehabilitation for people with ataxia may adopt a compensatory and restorative approach.

Compensatory approach may include devices, movement retraining, reducing the degrees
of freedom and optimizing the environment. Valuable for teaching people practical,
everyday strategies and ways of managing the condition. It may be particularly important
for those with severe upper limb tremor. The patients may be advised to use frames. And
if the patient is not able to lift a frame forward, the PT can also prescribe a rollator or
reciprocal frame.
Restorative approaches aim to improve function by improving the underlying
impairment.
The Physiotherapist will use both approaches and plan the treatment according to the condition
of patient.

The Physiotherapist will make sure that the treatment plan will be able to restore the stability of
the trunk and proximal joints of the patient to provide stable background for movement.
Physiotherapy can improve gait, balance and trunk control for people with ataxia, and can reduce
activity limitations and support increased participation.

The Physical therapy may include the exercise program which include

Static Balance
1. Single Leg Stance Test:
2. Single Leg Stance Test (Eyes Closed)
3. Tandem Stance (Place one foot in front of the other so that the heel of one foot is
touching the toes of the opposite foot.)
4. Standing heel raises
Dynamic Balance

1. Y- Balance test (you stand on 1 leg on a center block, and push another block along the
ground as far as you can with your opposite foot.)
2. 2. Alternate stepping test (Stand in front of a step and place each foot alternately on the
step.)
3. Sit to stand
4. Standing Anterior-Posterior Weight Shift (Slowly begin to shift entire weight forward
into the toes and then shift entire weight backward into the heels.)

Trunk-limb coordination exercises

1. Standing Lateral Weight Shifts. (In standing position feet hip width apart or wider.
Slowly begin to shift entire weight laterally – moving hips, trunk, head and shoulders –
onto one foot)
2. Sitting Lateral Weight Shifts (sitting upright on an exercise ball (more difficult) position
the feet under knees and hip width apart. Slowly and smoothly begin to move the upper
body to the right and then to the left, allow the weight of the trunk to fully shift from side
to side.)
Contraction Prevention
1. Stretching Method
2. Relaxation
a. Physiological movement
b. Progressive relaxation
c. Contrast method
d. Passive movement