Antonio Cerasa1, Francesco Arcuri2, Luigina Maria Pignataro2, Sebastiano Serra3, Demetrio Messina4, Simone Carozzo2, Antonio Biafora5, Caterina Ceraudo5, Luca Abbruzzino5, Loris Pignolo2, Giuseppina Basta2, Paolo Tonin2. 1. IBFM, National Research Council, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; S. Anna Institute and Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation (RAN), 88900 Crotone, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.cerasa76@gmail.com. 2. S. Anna Institute and Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation (RAN), 88900 Crotone, Italy. 3. IBFM, National Research Council, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy. 4. Department of Neurology, "S. Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Largo Bologna, 88900 Crotone, Italy. 5. Cooking Soon Association, Loc. Garga 9 San Giovanni in Fiore, 87055 Cosenza, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: The therapeutic approach for cerebellar damages heavily relies on neurorehabilitation since there are no medications that may improve clinical symptoms mainly those related to cognitive dysfunctions. Nevertheless, neurorehabilitation programs tailored to cerebellar damages have never been validated. Here we describe a new rehabilitation approach based on cooking training (CT). The idea that cooking may stimulate cerebellar activity relies on previous evidence demonstrating the beneficial effect on the executive functions as well as in promoting neural plasticity within the cerebellum. Indeed, CT requires motor/mental coordination, thinking flexibly, planning, implementing strategies, shifting and self-monitoring behaviors, all functions drastically affected in cerebellar disorders. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 68-year-old male stroke patient with isolated right cerebellar ischemia in the posterior cerebellum characterized by mild executive dysfunctions. After intensive six weekly two-hour sessions, we found that CT was effective in improving some cognitive abilities in a context of mild motor impairment. In particular, deficits in the execution of the Symbol digit modality test and Wisconsin card-sorting test were recovered. CONCLUSION: The comparison of our data with those reported in previous studies confirmed the Schmahmann's hypothesis on the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation approaches in cerebellar patients acting as external timekeeping of conscious thoughts.
BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: The therapeutic approach for cerebellar damages heavily relies on neurorehabilitation since there are no medications that may improve clinical symptoms mainly those related to cognitive dysfunctions. Nevertheless, neurorehabilitation programs tailored to cerebellar damages have never been validated. Here we describe a new rehabilitation approach based on cooking training (CT). The idea that cooking may stimulate cerebellar activity relies on previous evidence demonstrating the beneficial effect on the executive functions as well as in promoting neural plasticity within the cerebellum. Indeed, CT requires motor/mental coordination, thinking flexibly, planning, implementing strategies, shifting and self-monitoring behaviors, all functions drastically affected in cerebellar disorders. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 68-year-old male strokepatient with isolated right cerebellar ischemia in the posterior cerebellum characterized by mild executive dysfunctions. After intensive six weekly two-hour sessions, we found that CT was effective in improving some cognitive abilities in a context of mild motor impairment. In particular, deficits in the execution of the Symbol digit modality test and Wisconsin card-sorting test were recovered. CONCLUSION: The comparison of our data with those reported in previous studies confirmed the Schmahmann's hypothesis on the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation approaches in cerebellar patients acting as external timekeeping of conscious thoughts.