The Role of Cerebellar Rehabilitation in Improvement of ADHD Imbalance

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Back to table of contents Previous article Next article LettersFull AccessThe Role of Cerebellar Rehabilitation in Improvement of ADHD ImbalanceMona Delavarian, M.D., and Shahriar Gharibzadeh, M.D.Mona DelavarianSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., and Shahriar GharibzadehSearch for more papers by this author, M.D.Published Online:1 Oct 2011https://doi.org/10.1176/jnp.23.4.jnpe34AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail To the Editor: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a relatively common neurobehavioral disorder.1 Children with ADHD have continuous symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in more than one setting, such as at home, school, and work.2,3 Several studies have focused on ADHD balance dysfunction, which affects many gross and fine motor activities, and most of these studies attribute it to inattentiveness4,5 and even have suggested attention exercises to improve the problem.5 On the other hand, SPECT studies in ADHD have identified some decreased activities in different parts of the CNS, including the cerebellum.7 Also, many MRI morphologic studies have identified some differences between the cerebellum of normal-control children and those with ADHD.1On the basis of the above-mentioned points, we hypothesize that cerebellar disturbances are probably involved in ADHD balance dysfunction. It is worth noting that the cerebellum has a dual effect in this area: not only is it involved directly in equilibrium, but there is also strong evidence for the role of the cerebellum in cognitive functions including attention.8 We have observed in a preliminary small clinical trial that “cerebellar rehabilitation exercises,” which are typically used in ataxia rehabilitation, improve ADHD balance dysfunction. These exercises involve proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual systems, all of which are in close relationship with the cerebellum.9 We suggest that cerebellar rehabilitation will improve both balance and attention in these children. Of course, for confirming this hypothesis, larger clinical trials are needed.Biomedical Engineering Faculty, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: [email protected]ac.ir1. Voeuer Kytja KS : Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). J Child Neurol 2004; 19:798–814Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar2. Sadock BJ , Sadock VA : Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry, 10th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007Google Scholar3. Delavarian M , Towhidkhah F , Dibajnia P , et al.: Designing a decision-support system for distinguishing ADHD from similar child behavioral disorders. J Med Systems 2010; Sept.; E-pub ahead of printMedline, Google Scholar4. Aranha KM : A Comparison of Postural Control: Typical Developing Children vs. Children With ADHD. A Thesis in Exercise and Sport Science, 2006Google Scholar5. Leitner Y , Barak R , Giladi N , et al.: Gait in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: effects of methylphenidate and dual-tasking. J Neurol 2007; 254:1330–1338Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar6. Ghanizadeh A : Predictors of postural stability in children with ADHD. J Attention Disord 2011; 15:604–610Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar7. Dunn S , Sharman J : Understanding ADHD. MIND 1998; 1:16Google Scholar8. Baldaçara L , Borgio JGF , de Lacerda ALT , et al.: Cerebellum and psychiatric disorders. Rev Bras Psiquiatr 2008; 30:281–289Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar9. Armutlu K : Ataxia: physical therapy and rehabilitation applications for ataxic patients. Int Encyclopedia of Rehabilitation, State University of New York at Buffalo, Center for International Rehabilitation Research and Exchange (CIRRIE), 2010; 1:19Google Scholar FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byJournal of adapted physical activity and exercise, Vol. 23, No. 3Increasing Performance in Children With ADHD By Trapping Lead With a Nano-ZeoliteMona Delavarian, Ph.D. student, Ali Hassanvand, M.Sc., and Shahriar Gharibzadeh, M.D., Ph.D.1 January 2013 | The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Vol. 25, No. 1The Effect of Visual and Cerebellar Exercises on DyslexiaMona Delavarian, M.D., G. Ali Afrooz, M.D., and Shahriar Gharibzadeh, M.D., Ph.D.1 January 2013 | The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Vol. 25, No. 1 Volume 23Issue 4 Fall 2011Pages E34-E34 Metrics PDF download History Published online 1 October 2011 Published in print 1 October 2011