Evidence-Based Management of Ataxia and Coordination

Ataxia means absence of order and denotes clinical syndrome of incoordination. Ataxia/ incoordination is characterized by the inability to perform a smooth, coordinated movement to accurately reach a target. Ataxia can be from multiple origins and can be classified as acquired, hereditary, or idiopathic. Although therapy is highly recommended as the main treatment of ataxia/incoordination, there is limited consensus and lack of discussion regarding the scope of therapeutic interventions in the rehabilitation of patients with ataxia. This 2-hour course will help therapists understand the role of the cerebellum in controlling movement and motor learning. Participants will discuss etiology and clinical presentation of ataxia. Participants will also review the principles of evaluation and interventions to design anevidence-based rehabilitation program for patients presenting with ataxia. Interactive learning strategies with a wide use of pictures and videos will be utilized. A case study of a patient with ataxia will be used to tie in pieces of evaluation and interventions discussed during the course.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers

Highlights

• Etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of ataxia/incoordination
• Current assessment and evaluation principles applicable to patients with ataxia
• Easy-to-use interventions to help address ataxia/incoordination in patients with cerebellar pathology