A comprehensive scheme for the objective upper body assessments of subjects with cerebellar ataxia

Abstract

Background: Cerebellar ataxia refers to the disturbance in movement resulting from cerebellar dysfunction. It manifests as inaccurate movements with delayed onset and overshoot, especially when movements are repetitive or rhythmic. Identification of ataxia is integral to the diagnosis and assessment of severity, and is important in monitoring progression and improvement. Ataxia is identified and assessed by clinicians observing subjects perform standardised movement tasks that emphasise ataxic movements. Our aim in this paper was to use data recorded from motion sensors worn while subjects performed these tasks, in order to make an objective assessment of ataxia that accurately modelled the ..