Article

Studies about recovery from cerebellar stroke are rare.
The present study
assessed motor deficits in the acute phase after isolated cerebellar stroke
focusing on postural impairment and gait ataxia and outlines the role of lesion
site on motor outcome, the course of recovery and the effect of treadmill
training. 23 patients with acute and isolated cerebellar infarction participated.
Deficits were quantified by ataxia scores and dynamic posturography in the acute
phase and in a follow up after 2 weeks and 3 months. MRI data were obtained to
correlate lesion site with motor performance. Half of the patients that gave
informed consent and walked independently underwent a 2-week treadmill training
with increasing velocity. In the acute phase patients showed a mild to severe
ataxia with a worse performance in patients with infarction of the superior in
comparison to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. However, after 3 months
differences between vascular territories were no longer significant. MRI data
showed that patients with larger infarct volumes had a significantly more severe
ataxia. In patients with ataxia of stance, gait and lower limbs lesions were more
common in cerebellar lobules IV to VI. After 3 months a mild ataxia in lower
limbs and gait, especially in gait speed persisted. Because postural impairment
had fully recovered, remaining gait ataxia was likely related to incoordination
of lower limbs. Treadmill training did not show significant effects. Future
studies are needed to investigate whether intensive coordinative training is of
benefit in patients with cerebellar stroke.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS