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Exercise Therapy for Cerebellar Ataxia

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Scott M Barbuto, MD
Research Sponsored by Columbia University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Ability to safely ride a stationary exercise bike
Diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial will use neuroimaging techniques to study the effects of balance and aerobic training on the brain, specifically the degenerating cerebellum. The hypothesis is that balance training impacts structures outside the cerebellum while aerobic training affects the cerebellum itself.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals with degenerative cerebellar diseases who experience ataxia, have cerebellar atrophy visible on MRI, and can safely use a stationary exercise bike. It's not suitable for those with other neurological conditions, medical instability, cognitive impairments, or heart disease.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study is examining the effects of balance and aerobic training on the brain in people with degenerative cerebellar diseases. It aims to determine how these exercises impact brain structure using neuroimaging techniques.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
While specific side effects are not listed for this type of physical training, participants may experience general exercise-related discomfort such as muscle soreness or fatigue.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I can safely use a stationary exercise bike.
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I have been diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Change in Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) Score
Secondary outcome measures
Average gait speed
Dynamic Gait Index score
Prevalence of Cerebellar Volume
+3 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Aerobic TrainingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will be given a stationary exercise bike for home use. They will be instructed to use the exercise bike five times a week for thirty-minute sessions. The exercise intensity prescription will be based on the subject's VO2max determined on pre-test day. The exercise program will start at 60% of intensity per session, and then will be increased by steps of 5% intensity every 2 sessions until participants reach 30 minutes of training at 80% intensity. Participants will be contacted weekly by e-mail or phone to answer any questions about the exercise protocol and will be instructed to log each training session. Subjects will record duration of exercise, perceived exertion, average heart rate, maximum heart rate, and distance.
Group II: Balance TrainingActive Control1 Intervention
A physical therapist will tailor a home balance training program for each participant based on pre- training capabilities. Subjects will be asked to perform exercises five times a week for thirty-minute sessions. Both dynamic and static exercises will be performed in sitting and standing positions. Exercises will start with stabilizing in a challenging static position and progress to dynamic arm and leg movements in the same or modified position. Participants will be contacted weekly by e-mail or phone to answer any questions about the exercise protocol and will be required to log their exercise effort in terms of frequency and level of balance challenge.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Aerobic Training
2020
N/A
~830

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Columbia UniversityLead Sponsor
1,431 Previous Clinical Trials
2,460,783 Total Patients Enrolled
5 Trials studying Cerebellar Ataxia
352 Patients Enrolled for Cerebellar Ataxia
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)NIH
1,339 Previous Clinical Trials
649,342 Total Patients Enrolled
8 Trials studying Cerebellar Ataxia
393 Patients Enrolled for Cerebellar Ataxia
Scott M Barbuto, MDPrincipal InvestigatorAssistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine

Media Library

Aerobic Training Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05002218 — N/A
Cerebellar Ataxia Research Study Groups: Aerobic Training, Balance Training
Cerebellar Ataxia Clinical Trial 2023: Aerobic Training Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05002218 — N/A
Aerobic Training 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05002218 — N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How many participants are allowed to enroll in this research?

"Affirmative. Clinicaltrials.gov records demonstrate that the trial, which was initially launched on January 31st 2022 and recently updated on the same date, is presently enrolling participants. As of now 48 people are needed from one location only."

Answered by AI

Is there still capacity for new participants in this research project?

"By consulting clinicaltrials.gov, it is evident that participant recruitment for this medical trial is currently open for business. The original posting date was January 31st 2022 and the most recent alterations to the study occured on the same day."

Answered by AI
~20 spots leftby Nov 2025