Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a six-week rehabilitation programme
followed by a home exercise programme for Friedreich's ataxia. DESIGN:
Randomized, delayed-start control single-blind trial. SETTING: Outpatient
rehabilitation centre.
SUBJECTS: Ambulant or non-ambulant individuals with
Friedreich's ataxia. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to a six-week
outpatient rehabilitation programme, immediately (intervention group) or after a
six-week delayed-start (control group). The rehabilitation was followed by a
six-week home exercise programme. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was the
Functional Independence Measure. Other measures included the Friedreich Ataxia
Impact Scale and the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. Outcomes were administered
at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 weeks. RESULTS: Of 159 individuals screened, 92 were
excluded and 48 declined to participate. A total of 19 participants were enrolled
in the study. There was no significant difference in Functional Independence
Measure change from baseline to six weeks in the intervention group (mean +/-
standard deviation, 2.00 +/- 3.16) as compared to the control group (0.56 +/-
4.06). Change in the Friedreich Ataxia Impact Scale body movement subscale
indicated a significant improvement in health and well-being in the intervention
group compared to the control group ( P = 0.003). Significant within-group
improvements in the Friedreich Ataxia Impact Scale and the motor domain of the
Functional Independence Measure post-rehabilitation were not sustained post-home
exercise programme. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that rehabilitation can
improve health and well-being in individuals with Friedreich's ataxia; however, a
larger study is required to have sufficient power to detect a significant change
in the most sensitive measure of function, the motor domain of the Functional
Independence Measure.

Langue : ANGLAIS