Effect of Exercise on the Ability of Children with Cerebellar Ataxia to Perform Activities of Daily Living

Abstract

Background: People with ataxia cannot adjust the direction and intensity of movements due to poor voluntary muscle control and the lack of voluntary or reflexive muscle contraction necessary to improve position or posture problems. Ataxia is one of the main symptoms of cerebellar disorder. Most patients with cerebellar ataxia experience ataxia-related difficulties in performing activities of daily living. Exercise has positive effects on ataxia and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Balance exercises, walking exercises, muscle-strengthening exercises, activities of daily living exercises, torso weighting, etc., were reported to improve ataxia, gait capacity, and ability to perform activities of daily living in adults (including older people) with cerebellar ataxia. However, not much has been still done to clarify the effect of exercise on ataxia and the ability of children with cerebellar ataxia to perform activities of daily living. Objective: This review mainly aimed to add to existing knowledge and reveal the relationship between exercise and ataxia and the ability of children with cerebellum-related ataxia to perform activities of daily living. Results: Walking exercises, balance exercises, muscle-strengthening exercises, video games, tracking tasks, core stability exercises, and hippotherapy could improve ataxia, gross motor skills, and the ability of these children to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Given the lack of reports, studies are needed to clarify how exercise affects ataxia, gross motor skills, and the ability of children with cerebellar ataxia to perform activities of daily living.