Effects of High Intensity Stepping Training on Gait in Patients With Ataxia

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of high intensity stepping training on gait recovery, including walking speed and endurance, in patients with cerebellar ataxia. The hypothesis is that there will be a significant improvement in gait outcome measures (6 Minute Walk Test and 10 Meter Walk Test) in patients who receive high-intensity stepping training during physical therapy.

Conditions

• Cerebellar Ataxia

Interventions

DEVICE

Polar H10 heart rate monitor

Heart rate will be monitored using a Polar H10 heart rate monitor, with the goal of reaching moderate to high intensity for 30 minutes during the one hour long therapy intervention.

DEVICE

Therastride Treadmill System

Participants will be asked to walk on the Therastride Treadmill for 30 minutes.This treadmill can unweight patients so that the task of walking becomes easier. The body weight can be adjusted depending on how much assistance a patient needs from 0% of their bodyweight (completely independent) to up to 50% of their bodyweight for the purposes of this study.

DEVICE

VECTOR Bioness

Participants will be asked to walk using the VECTOR Bioness on a track outside the gym with a harness attached to an overhead sling system. This system can unweight patients so that the task of walking becomes easier. The body weight can be adjusted depending on how much assistance a patient needs from 0% of their bodyweight (completely independent) to up to 50% of their bodyweight for the purposes of this study. This system allows for overground walking on a small indoor track as opposed to walking on a treadmill.

OTHER

Physical therapy

Physical therapy will be administered by a physical therapist and will include overground walking, treadmill walking, stairs, and resisted walking.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kaitlin Benjamin, PT, DPT · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-26

Primary Completion

2024-05-10

Completion

2024-05-10

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations