Abstract
Exergames are interactive video games used for exercise and may have therapeutic value in people with degenerative ataxia. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential effects of exergaming training on cerebellar ataxia in people with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Nine individuals with SCA3 were recruited and randomized to either exergaming or conventional group for a 4-week training period. The severity of ataxia was measured as the primary outcome by the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and by the directional control of the limit of stability test. The secondary outcomes included upper-limb function and gait performance. After training, participants in the exergaming group had a significant decrease in the total SARA score and the gait-posture SARA subscore. Participants in the conventional training group did not show a significant improvement in selected outcome measures after the 4-week training period. No significant difference was found between groups for any of these measures. Our results suggested that the exergaming training program significantly decreased ataxia. These results support implementation of exergaming training for people with SCA3.
Highlights
Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is an autosomal, dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease with multiple subtypes
A previous study evaluated the effects of an 8-week balance and coordination training program using Microsoft Xbox Kinect video games in children with progressive SCA11
There were no significant differences between the two groups’ demographics or clinical characteristics except nine-hole peg test and walking speed (Table 1)
Summary
A total of 16 individuals were screened and 9 enrolled between 2014 and 2015. Among them, 5 were assigned to the exergaming group and 4 to the control training group. All participants were assessed before and after the 4-week training period. There were no significant differences between the two groups’ demographics or clinical characteristics (established prior to the intervention) except nine-hole peg test and walking speed (Table 1). Within-group analysis revealed that the exergaming training significantly reduced the gait-posture subscore of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) (P = 0.038) and total SARA score (P = 0.042). A near-significant trend for an improvement in the limb-kinetic SARA subscore (P = 0.059) was observed after exergaming training. Control training showed a marginal trend to improve the limb-kinetic SARA subscore (P = 0.059) and total SARA score (P = 0.068). There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of these measures
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