CLINICAL UTILITY OF A NOVEL SENSORIMOTOR APPROACH FOR A PATIENT PRESENTING WITH IDIOPATHIC NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS: A CASE STUDY
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1
Neuro Think Tank, United States
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2
Neuro Think Tank, United States
Movement and other neurodegenerative disorders can encompass a wide variety of disease entities, many of which are difficult to diagnose. Here we present a 50 year old female, with idiopathic, progressive neurological symptoms including ataxia, idiopathic dyskinesia, dysphonia, dysarthria and dysphagia. MRI showed a nonspecific, small, right paraventricular hyperintensity. PET scan showed mild decreased activity in cerebellum and temporal lobes. Patient was unresponsive to conventional drug therapy (clonazepam), neuropsychiatry and lifestyle changes. Patient was only able to work limited hours, with assistive equipment from home, and any excessive stimuli would trigger physical collapse. Patient participated in an inexpensive, novel sensorimotor approach comprising of specific patterns of movement on equipment that enhances sensory feedback and is unstable by design. The instability and sensorimotor stimulation was speculated to increase cerebellar functioning, neuroplasticity and cognitive function. 3, 20 minute sessions over 5 weeks were increased to an hour, 2 times weekly as her condition improved, for 14 months with noticeable improvement upon commencement. At week 56, patient’s neurologist noted a 90% improvement. Progress was steady during treatment, with gradual recovery of activities of daily living (ADLs). After 16 months of treatment, patient returned to work, without the use of assistive equipment, and ADLs were within normal limits. Excessive stimulation combined with weariness can trigger dyskinesia but is less severe and easily managed. Given the degree of improvement with this patient, we believe that a larger study is warranted to determine if this outcome is repeatable in other cases of idiopathic, progressive neurological dysfunction.
Keywords:
Ataxia,
idiopathic dyskinesia,
Dysphonia,
Dysarthria,
dysphagia,
sensorimotor,
Neurodegenerative disorders
Conference:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: TBI and Neurodegeneration, Orlando, Florida, United States, 10 Dec - 14 Dec, 2015.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Case Study Reports
Citation:
Heus
E and
Kalinkos
A
(2015). CLINICAL UTILITY OF A NOVEL SENSORIMOTOR APPROACH FOR A PATIENT PRESENTING WITH IDIOPATHIC NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS: A CASE STUDY.
Front. Neurol.
Conference Abstract:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: TBI and Neurodegeneration.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2015.58.00032
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Received:
31 Oct 2015;
Published Online:
02 Nov 2015.
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Correspondence:
Dr. Edythe Heus, Neuro Think Tank, Kenmore, United States, dredythe@revinmo.com