Improved Sway Velocities and Directional Balance Improvement in Two Individuals with Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia with Balance-Based Torso-Weighting: A Case Series Report (P2.130)

OBJECTIVE: To determine immediate and short-term impact of the application of Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) and BalanceWear® Therapy (BWT) on sway patterns in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). BACKGROUND: Individuals with SCA exhibit impairments in balance and mobility often resulting in falls. BBTW demonstrated immediate improvement in gait and balance in recent MS studies. BWT involves the patient wearing BalanceWear®; weights are strategically placed to augment sensory information. DESIGN/METHOD: Sway velocity, direction, and magnitude were measured with ADPM, Inc.™, sensors placed posteriorly at the lumbosacral junction before and after BBTW immediately and after three or five days of BWT with two individuals with midline cerebellar atrophy confirmed by MRI. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Sway RESULTS: In Patient 1, a 72 year old woman with a 6 year history of a slowly progressive, idiopathic, cerebellar syndrome composite scores (CS) of sway velocity improved from 98 to 71 m/s from pre-BBTW to post-BBTW same session. Lower scores indicate less sway. Patient 1 wore BWT 10 hours each day for four days. On day 5 she was retested without BWT. Her CS was reduced from 98 to 68 m/s. Her directional imbalance improved. In Patient 2, a 46 year old woman with a 12 year history of a slowly progressive cerebellar syndrome with upper motor neuron features CS was reduced from 95 to 49 m/s immediately from pre-BBTW to post-BBTW. Patient 2 wore the BWT for 18 hours over two days and was retested 15 hours after BWT. On day three; her CS was reduced from 95 to 24 m/s and direction of sway improved. CONCLUSION: Application of BBTW and BWT may be beneficial in reducing sway and improving directional instability in patients with SCA. More research is indicated in this patient population, where minimal information is available for symptom management of falls and mobility challenges. Disclosure: Dr. Gibson-Horn holds stock and/or stock options in Motion Therapeutics. Dr. Perlman has received research support from Santhera Pharmaceuticals.