This study was planned to investigate the effects of exercise training based on Microsoft Kinect application on balance and postural control in ataxic patients.
Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be divided into two groups randomly: 'Kinect and exercise training' and 'exercise training'. The assessments will be made by a blind investigator four times, before and after the implementation of both protocols. The evaluations will take approximately 1 hour. The demographic information of the cases will be recorded. Designed as cross over study, two treatment protocols will be used in this study. The first protocol will be Xbox Kinect application plus exercise program, the second protocol will be only exercise program. At the beginning of the study, 2 groups will be allocated (Group A and Group B) randomly. For group A, the Xbox Kinect application plus exercise program will be applied for the first 8 weeks. For group B, only exercise program will be applied therapy first 8 weeks. All assessments will be repeated before and after each therapy period. Exercise program will consist of selected balance, coordination and walking exercises according to the individual needs of patients. After 10 weeks washout period, patients will be included in the other group. All patients will take the treatment 1-hour, 3 days in a week for 8 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
19
Kinect + Exercise Training : Patients will play Xbox Kinect games for 40 minutes and take the treatment for 20 minutes, 3 days in a week for 8 weeks. After 10 weeks washout period, patients will take the treatment 1-hour, 3 days in a week for 8 weeks.
Exercise Training: Patients will take the treatment 1-hour, 3 days in a week for 8 weeks. After 10 weeks washout period, patients will play Xbox Kinect games for 40 minutes and take the treatment for 20 minutes, 3 days in a week for 8 weeks.
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Limits of Stability Test of Neurocom Balance Master (Static Posturography)
Limits of stability test (LOS) assesses dynamic balance during the performance of specific tasks with visual feedback. It quantifies objectively the maximum distance a person can lean in a given direction without losing balance, stepping or reaching for assistance
Time frame: change from baseline in dynamic balance component of postural control at 8 weeks
International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale
The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale was developed to quantify the level of impairment as a result of ataxia as related to hereditary ataxias. The scale is scored out of 100 with 19 items and 4 subscales of postural and gait disturbances, limb ataxia, dysarthria, and oculomotor disorders. the maximum score is 100, the minimum score is 0 in this scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of impairment. Postural and gait disturbances subscale has 7 items (0-34 points), limb ataxia subscale has 7 items (0-52 points), Dysarthria subscale has 2 items (0-4 points) and oculomotor disorders subscale has 3 items (0-6 points). The total score is obtained by summing the scores of the sub-scales.
Time frame: change from baseline in severity of ataxic symptoms at 8 weeks
Timed Up and Go test (TUG)
TUG was developed to determine falling risk and measure the progress of balance, sit to stand, and walking.
Time frame: change from baseline in falling risk at 8 weeks
Functional Reach Test (FRT)
FRT is a quick and simple, single-task dynamic test that defines functional reach as "the maximal distance one can reach forward beyond arm's length, while maintaining a fixed base of support in the standing position". It is a dynamic rather than a static test and measures a person's "margin of stability" as well as ability to maintain balance during a functional task.
Time frame: change from baseline in dynamic balance at 8 weeks
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10 meter Walk Test (10mWT)
The 10mWTis a performance measure used to assess walking speed in metres per second over a short distance. It can be employed to determine functional mobility and gait.
Time frame: change from baseline in gait speed at 8 weeks
Trunk Impairment Scale
It was developed to measure the motor impairment of the trunk through the evaluation of static and dynamic sitting balance as well as co-ordination of trunk movement. Three subscales: static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance and coordination. There are 17 items in this scale and for each item, a 2-, 3- or 4-point ordinal scale is used. On the static and dynamic sitting balance and coordination subscales the maximal scores that can be attained are 7, 10 and 6 points. The total score for this scale ranges between 0 for a minimal performance to 23 for a perfect performance. The total score is obtained by summing the scores of the subscales.
Time frame: change from baseline in impairment of trunk at 8 weeks
Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)
The DGI was developed as a clinical tool to assess gait, balance and fall risk. It evaluates not only usual steady-state walking, but also walking during more challenging tasks. The DGI was developed as a clinical tool to assess gait, balance and fall risk. It evaluates not only usual steady-state walking, but also walking during more challenging tasks. 8 functional walking tests are performed by the subject and marked out of three according to the lowest category which applies. 24 is the total individual score possible. Scores of 19 or less have been related to increase incidence of falls.
Time frame: change from baseline in balance, fall risk and gait at 8 weeks
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
A 14-item objective measure designed to assess static balance and fall risk. Static and dynamic activities of varying difficulty are performed.Item-level scores range from 0-4, determined by ability to perform the assessed activity. Item scores are summed. Maximum score is 56.
Time frame: change from baseline in balance performance at 8 weeks
Rhythmic Weight Shift (RWS) of Neurocom Balance Master (Static Posturography)
RWS test quantifies the patient's ability to rhythmically move their Center of Gravity (COG) from left to right (lateral) and forward to backward (anterior/ posterior) between two targets at three distinct speeds: slow, medium, and fast.
Time frame: change from baseline in directional control and movement velocity while move the center of gravity at 8 weeks
Unilateral Stance Test (US) of Neurocom Balance Master (Static Posturography)
The US quantifies postural sway velocity with the patient standing on either the right or left foot with eyes open and with eyes closed.
Time frame: change from baseline in postural sway velocity at 8 weeks
Weight Bearing Squat (WBS) of Neurocom Balance Master (Static Posturography)
During the WBS, the patient is instructed to maintain equal weight on each leg while standing erect and then squatting in three positions of knee flexion. The percentage of body weight borne by each leg is measured with the patient standing at 0° (erect), 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion.
Time frame: change from baseline in weight bearing at 8 weeks
Walk Across (WA) of Neurocom Balance Master (Static Posturography)
The WA quantifies characteristics of gait as the patient walks across the length of the force plate. The test characterizes steady state gait by having the patient begin well behind and continuing beyond the force plate. Measured parameters are average step width, average step length, speed and step length symmetry.
Time frame: change from baseline in gait characteristics at 8 weeks