Ataxia is a disorder of the central nervous system, characterised by the progressive loss of motor-muscle coordination and voluntary movements, in the absence of paralysis.

In combination with a cycle of rehabilitative therapies, the use of the Equistasi device would produce considerable improvements in the degree of impairment of patients affected by Hereditary Ataxias (Friedreich’s and Spinocerebellar) – measured on the official scale for the assessment and rating of Ataxia (SARA) – the motor coordination of the dominant limb and the general gait. Moreover, the data would seem to indicate significant improvements in speech and upper limb coordination. Naturally, greater levels of impairment correspond to lower levels of benefit, thus confirming the need to intervene early with rehabilitative treatments and vibrational therapy also in these pathologies.

What is Ataxia?

The Italian Association that fights against Ataxia Syndromes (A.I.S.A) defines Ataxia as a “disorder consisting in the lack of muscle coordination, which makes it difficult to perform voluntary movements”.

Ataxia is a disorder that affects the central nervous system, characterised by the progressive loss of motor-muscle coordination and voluntary movements, in the absence of paralysis. The origin of this disorder is a DNA alteration in a gene that can affect the cerebellum, brainstem, cerebral hemispheres, and spinal cord.

Ataxia syndromes can be secondary, when they occur because of a brain injury (various traumas, toxic substances and drugs abuse, alcohol abuse, prolonged exposure to radiation and infections). They can be hereditary when they derive directly from genetic alterations.

The hereditary forms of Ataxia are:

1. Friedreich's Ataxia: it is the most common form, characterised by bone alterations of the hands and feet and gradual deterioration of the nervous system.

2. Ataxia-Telangiectasia also known as Louis-Bar Syndrome: characterised by immunodeficiency, telangiectasia of the eyes and skin and Cerebellar Ataxia.

3. Spinocerebellar Ataxia: characterised by widespread tremors, loss of balance, dizziness, and lack of reflexes.

4. Cerebellar Atrophy: characterised by neuro-degenerative pathologies.

5. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), also known as Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy: developed at the peripheral nervous system level.

From the medical-scientific point of view, there are many classifications of ataxia forms. In general, we can break it down according to the affected area:

Cerebellar Ataxia: related to tumours, inflammatory, and vascular lesions in the cerebellum

Cerebral Ataxia: connected to the cortex of the temporal, parietal, or frontal lobe

Labyrinthine Ataxia: linked to internal ear disorders

Sensory Ataxia: associated with neoplastic syndromes

Who is affected by Ataxia?

Clinical studies show that, in combination with a cycle of rehabilitative therapies, the vibration therapy of the Equistasi device would produce considerable improvements in the degree of impairment of patients affected by Hereditary Ataxias (Friedreich’s and Spinocerebellar) – measured on the official scale for the assessment and rating of Ataxia (SARA) – the motor coordination of the dominant limb and the general gait. Moreover, the data would seem to indicate significant improvements in speech and upper limb coordination. Naturally, greater levels of impairment correspond to lower levels of benefit, thus confirming the need to intervene early with rehabilitative treatments and vibrational therapy also in these pathologies.

It has also been stated that the beneficial effects of the rehabilitative therapeutic approach with Equistasi® are significantly reduced when the vibratory therapy is interrupted for three weeks, thus highlighting the need for continuous therapy over time.

Consult all publications and clinical studies on this topic in the dedicated sections.

Based on the specific form of Ataxia, the age of onset of the pathology can fluctuate between childhood and adolescence, or remain dormant until the age of 60 and beyond.

Friedreich's Ataxia is the most common hereditary form of Ataxia: medical statistics report about 100,000 cases, of which 1,200 in Italy. The estimated age of onset includes children between 6 and 15, but it may occur later, after the age of 20, in rare cases.

What are the symptoms of Ataxia?

Ataxia syndromes do not all begin with the same symptoms, since onset manifestations depend on the severity of the specific pathology and its trigger most of all:

• Lack of voluntary muscle response to cerebral impulses

• Postural and motor alterations

• General loss of balance

• Difficulties in speech and pronouncing words correctly and understandably

• Progressive worsening of the symptomatology listed above, which can lead to cardiac complications and death in the most serious cases

Equistasi and the rehabilitation of Ataxia patients

Clinical studies show that, in combination with a cycle of rehabilitative therapies, the vibration therapy of the Equistasi device would produce considerable improvements in the degree of impairment of patients affected by Hereditary Ataxias (Friedreich’s and Spinocerebellar) – measured on the official scale for the assessment and rating of Ataxia (SARA) – the motor coordination of the dominant limb and the general gait. Moreover, the data would seem to indicate significant improvements in speech and upper limb coordination. Naturally, greater levels of impairment correspond to lower levels of benefit, thus confirming the need to intervene early with rehabilitative treatments and vibrational therapy also in these pathologies.

It has also been stated that the beneficial effects of the rehabilitative therapeutic approach with Equistasi® are significantly reduced when the vibratory therapy is interrupted for three weeks, thus highlighting the need for continuous therapy over time.

Consult all publications and clinical studies on this topic, in the dedicated section.