체중지지 트레드밀 훈련이 퇴행성 소뇌 질환자들의 하지 근력 및 보행 능력에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Cerebellar damage causes declines in muscular strength and coordination in the lower limbs. This study examined the effects of body weight supported treadmill (BWSTT) training on muscular strength of lower limbs and walking ability in patients with degenerative cerebellar atrophy. Three patients diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia were participated in 10-week BWSTT rehabilitation training programs for total 60 minutes, 3 times per week. The results showed that their severity of impairments and walking capacity was improved after the training based on the changes in ICARS and TUG clinical tests. However, this improvement was not persisted in a long-term period because they showed a reduction in the scores after 1 month. Similar results were found in the muscular strength. All patients exhibited increased muscular strength of the lower limbs after the training, but were not persisted over a month. These findings suggest that the benefits of rehabilitation programs adopted in the present study is evident for the recovery of locomotion functions and muscular strength of the lower limbs in cerebellar patients, but they need to continue to engage in motor activity to maintain their motor function gains acquired by the training.