The effect of a task-specific locomotor training strategy on gait stability in patients with cerebellar disease: a feasibility study

Abstract

This study provides preliminary evidence that learning-based rehabilitation strategies targeting disease-specific locomotion symptoms may be helpful for reducing ataxic gait and improving motor control during walking in patients with cerebellar dysfunction. Implications for rehabilitation Physiotherapeutic interventions that aim to promote gait stability in cerebellar patients need to create a specific learning context that improve disease-related gait deficits. It is desirable to use explicit instructions to facilitate the conscious awareness and control of body center and posture. As patients reacquire the fundamental gait ability, providing training experience with various locomotor tasks that facilitate the transfer of learning may be helpful to increase generalizability of locomotor intervention.