Instruments for upper limb evaluation and their relationship with disease severity in individuals with hereditary cerebellary ataxia

• Grant number: 20/12900-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2020
• End date: November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Regina Alouche
• Grantee: Emilyn Cristina Baragati
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Graduação. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxias show motor coordination and balance impairments, with consequent disorders of movements and repercussions in the upper limbs, generating functional limitations in daily activities. Until now, there is no tool considered as the gold standard for assessing and monitoring upper limbs in these patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the validity of funcionality measures of upper limb and their relationship to disease progression in individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxia. Socio-demographic and clinical data related to the severity of the disease, using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) were collected in conjunction with upper limb function tests (motor dexterity, manual function and strength) in individuals with degenerative hereditary cerebellar ataxia diagnosis. The validity of the Box and Block tests, Jebsen-Taylor manual function test and handgrip and pinch strength measurements will be tested and related to the impact of the severity of cerebellar ataxia. These results will allow future prognostic studies and prediction models development to better monitoring the functionality of this population.