[Effects of a physical training program on quantitative neurological indices in mild stage type 2 spinocerebelar ataxia patients].

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 spinocerebelar ataxia (SCA2) is a neurodegenerative disease with higher prevalence and incidence in Holguín province, Cuba. At present, there is not any drug to counteract the loss of coordinative motor capacities of these patients. Thus physical training seems to be the only way to attenuate the course of disease. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of a physical training program on quantitative neurological indices in SCA2 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A samples of 87 SCA2 patients were studied. All subjects underwent a six month physical exercise program based on coordination, balance and muscular conditioning exercises. Quantitative tests were applied to all patients both before and after the application of the exercise program. Comparisons between pretest versus posttest values were made to evaluate the improvement in neurological indices.
RESULTS: All neurological indices both with open eyes and closed eyes significantly improved from pretest to posttest. Static balance, evaluated by Romberg test, also enhanced with training.
CONCLUSIONS: The exercise training program significantly improved the neurological indices in SCA2 patient with mild stage of disease.