Stephan MA Marianne Anke S Krattinger S Sylvie K Pasquier J Jérôme P Bashir S Shahid B Fournier T Thomas F Ruegg DG Dieter Georg R Diserens K Karin D 2011 Background. Efficient therapy for both limb and gait ataxia is required. Climbing, a complex task for the whole motor system involving balance, body stabilization, and the simultaneous coordination of all 4 limbs, may have therapeutic potential. Objective. To investigate whether long-term climbing training improves motor function in patients with cerebellar ataxia. Methods. Four patients suffering from limb and gait ataxia underwent a 6-week climbing training. Its effect on ataxia was evaluated with validated clinical balance and manual dexterity tests and with a kinematic analysis of multijoint arm and leg pointing movements. Results. The patients increased their movement velocity and achieved a more symmetric movement speed profile in both arm and leg pointing movements. Furthermore, the 2 patients who suffered the most from gait ataxia improved their balance and 2 of the 4 patients improved manual dexterity. Conclusion. Climbing training has the potential to serve as a new rehabilitation method for patients with upper and lower limb ataxia. application/pdf https://sonar.ch/global/documents/139348 eng info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1155/2011/525879 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/22191034 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Rehabilitation research and practice. - 2011 Effect of long-term climbing training on cerebellar ataxia: a case series. http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501