Home aerobic training improved ataxia scores more than balance exercises
A randomized trial in people with cerebellar ataxias found greater improvements in symptoms, fatigue and fitness with home aerobic training.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Home aerobic training produced greater improvements in ataxia symptoms, fatigue and aerobic fitness than balance training in this trial. Symptom improvement remained evident among participants who kept training, while those who reduced or stopped tended to move back toward baseline. That continuation comparison was not described as randomized.
The trial used a single specialist center. The abstract lists adverse events as an outcome but does not report their results.
What researchers found
SARA ataxia severity score change
At 6 months: aerobic versus balance training. Respective 95% CIs: -3.1 to -1.80 and -1.5 to -0.2. Lower scores indicate less severe ataxia.
Measuring symptoms
The main measure was SARA, a clinical score of ataxia severity in which higher values mean worse symptoms. Researchers assessed participants in person while the training itself took place at home.
Support changed during follow-up
Both programs had the same planned session length and weekly frequency. Support calls ended midway through follow-up, making the later assessments relevant to understanding what happened after that extra study support stopped.
The original publication
Home Training for Cerebellar Ataxias: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Barbuto S, Lee S, Stein J et al.
JAMA Neurol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40946705
- Record checked
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