Activities of Daily Living Scale - the tool for clinical state monitoring of AD SCA and FRDA patients
Abstract
Autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (AD SCA) and Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) are neurodegenerative and neurometabolic disorders whose characteristics include progressive impairment of balance and motor functions. The causes of these disorders vary, but both involve degeneration of the cerebellum and its connections.
Until now, there has been no causative therapy for the disorders. A number of research reports point out that undamaged cerebellar tissue is able to cope with changes and learn new or different motor skills.
It is for this reason that physiotherapy and other physical activities improving balance and motor coordination are essential for all patients. It is necessary to monitor and evaluate the results of therapy/physiotherapy in order to be able to suggest the most efficient symptomatic therapy concept and thereby extend the active life of patients.
The Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale or ADLS is used for the evaluation of the daily activities of patients suffering from vestibular disorders. There is no similar scale for patients with cerebellar or sensoric ataxia.
ADLS is used for patients with vestibular ataxia and for that reason we posit that it may also help AD SCA and FRDA patients. Ataxic patients with AD SCA and FRDA are typically tested using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating scale (ICARS); Our goal is to test AD SCA and FRDA patients using the ADLS.
Posturography, a diagnostic tool for balance impairment, is then used an objective scale of measurement.