Priming Motor Learning Through Exercise in People With Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Summary

PRIME-Ataxia is a randomized controlled trial that aims to determine the feasibility and efficacy of an 8-week telehealth intervention of high intensity aerobic exercise prior to balance training compared to an 8-week telehealth intervention of low intensity exercise prior to balance training in people with spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). The investigators additionally aim to explore changes in motor skill learning on a novel motor skill task in a sub-group of participants pre and post intervention.

Conditions

• Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Prior to Balance Training

20-30 minutes of high intensity aerobic exercise followed by 20-30 minutes of individualized balance training over telehealth twice weekly, for 8 weeks (16 sessions total). For the aerobic component, participants will be instructed in a 20-30-minute exercise program, using available equipment already located in the participant's home (eg. stationary cycle, elliptical trainer, etc). Exercise intensity is moderate-to-high (between 50-85% Heart Rate Reserve. Participants will be placed on a ramped protocol which increases in intensity slowly over the course of the intervention period. For the balance training component, exercises will consist of steady state, proative, and reactive balance activities that involve sensory integration of vision, proprioception, and vestibular senses. Exercises will be individualized based on baseline assessment outcomes and severity of ataxia as rated by the SARAHome.

BEHAVIORAL

Low-Intensity Exercise Prior to Balance Training

20-30 minutes of light intensity "warm-up" type exercises, followed by 20-30 minutes of individualized balance training over telehealth twice weekly, for 8 week (16 sessions total). For the "warm-up" exercise component, exercises will consist of stretching and core training. For the balance training component, exercises will consist of steady state, proactive, and reactive balance activities that involve sensory integration of vision, proprioception, and vestibular senses throughout. Exercises will be individualized based on baseline assessment outcomes and severity of ataxia as rated by the SARAHome. Both groups are matched for time and frequency of intervention components.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Teachers College, Columbia University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Lori Quinn, PT, EdD · Teachers College, Columbia University

• Chelsea E Macpherson, DPT · Teachers College, Columbia University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-06

Primary Completion

2024-12-31

Completion

2025-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations