People living with hereditary ataxia often struggle with balance and walking. A new pilot study looked at whether a home-based exercise program could help. Twelve individuals joined the trial to test a Core Stability Exercises program delivered via telehealth. They worked out five days a week for seven weeks from the comfort of their own homes.
The results showed clear benefits for walking performance. Participants saw significant improvements over time. The group that mixed weekly calls with independent training showed gains at seven weeks. However, these specific gains did not last at the follow-up check.
Balance confidence also changed. The mixed group saw a drop in confidence over time. This unexpected decline suggests that the specific mix of support might not suit everyone. No serious safety issues or side effects were reported during the trial.
This small trial proves the program is safe and doable at home. But because it only involved twelve people, larger studies are needed to confirm these benefits and find the best way to keep people engaged.
