Promoting Physical Activity Engagement for People With Early-stage Cerebellar Ataxia

Promoting Physical Activity Engagement for People With Early-stage Cerebellar Ataxia (EngageAtaxia)

Engage-Ataxia will implement a physical activity coaching program for people with cerebellar ataxia at Teachers College, Columbia University. This program expands upon the current Engage program for people with Parkinson's disease (Engage-PD), an exercise coaching program for people with early stage Parkinson's disease to target individuals with early stage cerebellar ataxia. Engage-Ataxia will utilize a physical or occupational therapist to provide up to five one-on-one coaching sessions for individuals newly diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia. Therapists will work with participants to provide individualized structured support to facilitate and optimize exercise uptake as one part of comprehensive disease management. Participants will undertake two assessments three months apart, and will receive coaching interventions via Zoom healthcare platform. The primary objective of this program is to increase physical activity and exercise engagement in individuals with early stage cerebellar ataxia. This feasibility study will provide preliminary data and insight into the benefits of a remote coaching intervention for people with cerebellar ataxia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Neurologist confirmed diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia
• Scale for Ataxia Rating and Assessment (SARA) score between 8-25 (total score of 40), which will capture mild to moderate stage of the disease
• Ambulatory for indoor and outdoor mobility without assistance or assistive device
• Successful completion of Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or medical clearance from primary doctor
• Medical clearance to exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

• Musculoskeletal injury that would prevent participation in an exercise program
• Other neurological disease or disorder such as stroke
• Cardiac/pulmonary conditions that would affect participants ability to participate exercise program
• Metabolic conditions that would affect participants during an exercise program
• Currently do moderate-vigorous exercise 5 days a week or more