Effects of High Intensity Stepping Training on Gait in Patients With Ataxia

Heart rate will be monitored using a Polar H10 heart rate monitor, with the goal of reaching moderate to high intensity for 30 minutes during the one hour long therapy intervention.

Participants will be asked to walk on the Therastride Treadmill for 30 minutes.This treadmill can unweight patients so that the task of walking becomes easier. The body weight can be adjusted depending on how much assistance a patient needs from 0% of their bodyweight (completely independent) to up to 50% of their bodyweight for the purposes of this study.

Participants will be asked to walk using the VECTOR Bioness on a track outside the gym with a harness attached to an overhead sling system. This system can unweight patients so that the task of walking becomes easier. The body weight can be adjusted depending on how much assistance a patient needs from 0% of their bodyweight (completely independent) to up to 50% of their bodyweight for the purposes of this study. This system allows for overground walking on a small indoor track as opposed to walking on a treadmill.

Physical therapy will be administered by a physical therapist and will include overground walking, treadmill walking, stairs, and resisted walking.