Objective: To determine the immediate and short-term impact of the application of wearable balance compensation system (BCS) on balance impairment in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).
Methods: The study enrolled 6 participants with SCA with varying degrees of balance impairment. After adjustment for individual fitting, wearable BCS with up to 3% body weight was placed in a garment on the trunk. Sway direction and magnitude were measured with sensors placed posteriorly at the lumbosacral junction, immediately before and after, and at day 1, day 2, and day 7 after wearing the BCS. Timed Up & Go test (TUG) and 25-foot timed walk test were performed, and static foot pressure was measured.
Results: A significant improvement in static and dynamic balance was found during the 25-foot timed walk and in static foot pressure measurement results after wearing the BCS, when compared with that at baseline (p=0.044 vs. p=0.011). Anterior and posterior sway showed improvements from baseline after wearing the BCS. Improvement in the lateral swaying movement control was also seen.
Conclusion: Application of the BCS might be beneficial in the improvement ofthe static and dynamic balance in patients with SCA. Further research on long-term effects and with a larger sample size is indicated.
Keywords: Balance impairment; Rehabilitation; Spinocerebellar ataxia.