Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume: 12 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 998-1004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251299
Neurorehabilitation for Pancerebellar Ataxia with Pyramidal Tract Dysfunction: A 6-Week Protocol for Improving Balance and Coordination – A Case Study
Dr Sakshi Vipul Desai (PT)1, Dr Jagruti Patel (PT)2
Physiotherapy Department, S. S Agrawal Institute of Physiotherapy and Medical Care Education, Navsari, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, India
Corresponding Author: Dr Sakshi Vipul Desai (PT)
ABSTRACT
Pancerebellar ataxia combined with pyramidal tract dysfunction is a neurological syndrome causes complex motor deficits such as postural instability, gait disruption, and decreased coordination, all of which greatly limit functional independence. There is minimal evidence to support systematic physiotherapy therapies for this combined neurological involvement, particularly in chronic patients.
This case study presents a 38-year-old female diagnosed with a rare form of pancerebellar ataxia with pyramidal tract involvement, with progressive difficulties in gait, balance, coordination, frequent fear of falls, oculomotor disorders and dizziness, which hamper her activities of daily living.
A tailored physiotherapy protocol was implemented over a period of 6 weeks, with the primary aim of improving balance and coordination, which consist of trunk and limb strengthening, progressive balance training, task-specific coordination exercises, gait training, and vestibular exercises. The intervention was delivered five six sessions per week, with progression based on patient performance and tolerance. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), reassessed with 2-week intervals for 6 weeks. Significant improvement in scores was evident post-intervention, indicating a decrease in severity of ataxia.
The effects of this case study demonstrate the efficacy of physiotherapeutic intervention in treating complex neurological diseases affecting both the cerebellar and pyramidal tracts. The results suggest the potential importance of focused neurorehabilitation techniques and call for more research through bigger clinical studies, even though findings from a single patient cannot be generalised.
Keywords: Pancerebellar Ataxia, Pyramidal Tract Dysfunction, Balance, Incoordination, Gait training, Berg Balance scale, Neurorehabilitation.
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