Efectos de un programa de ejercicios físicos sobre variablesneurológicas cuantitativas en pacientes con ataxiaespinocerebelosa tipo 2 en estadio leve / Effects of a physical training program on cuantitative neurologicAL indices

ABSTRACT

Type 2 spinocerebelar ataxia (SCA2) is a neurodegenerative disease with higher prevalence andincidence in Holguín province, Cuba. At present, there is not any drug to counteract the loss of coordinative motor capacitiesof these patients. Thus physical training seems to be the only way to attenuate the course of disease. Aims. To evaluate theeffectiveness of a physical training program on quantitative neurological indices in SCA2 patients. Patients and methods. Asamples of 87 SCA2 patients were studied. All subjects underwent a six month physical exercise program based oncoordination, balance and muscular conditioning exercises. Quantitative tests were applied to all patients both before andafter the application of the exercise program. Comparisons between pretest versus postest values were made to evaluate theimprovement in neurological indices. Results. All neurological indices both with open eyes and closed eyes significantlyimproved from pretest to postest. Static balance, evaluated by Romberg test, also enhanced with training. Conclusions. Theexercise training program significantly improved the neurological indices in SCA2 patient with mild stage of disease...(AU)