PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - N C Notermans
AU  - G W van Dijk
AU  - Y van der Graaf
AU  - J van Gijn
AU  - J H Wokke
TI  - Measuring ataxia: quantification based on the standard neurological examination.
AID  - 10.1136/jnnp.57.1.22
DP  - 1994 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
PG  - 22--26
VI  - 57
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/57/1/22.short
4100  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/57/1/22.full
SO  - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry1994 Jan 01; 57
AB  - To quantify ataxia in a simple way four tests were developed and analysed, based on the neurological examination: a tapping test for the arms (test 1), another one for the legs (test 2), a quantified finger-to-nose test (test 3), and a modified Romberg test (test 4). All tests were performed by 115 volunteers, 13 patients with cerebellar ataxia and 25 patients with sensory ataxia due to neuropathy. The test-retest repeatability was excellent. Tests 1, 2 and 4 were age-dependent, with lower scores above age 65. On test 1, 2 and 4 both groups of patients performed worse than controls; the correlation with the ataxia scale of Nobile-Orazio and the modified disability Rankin scale was good (P < 0.05). Although test 3 could differentiate between sensory and cerebellar ataxia, it was not useful for quantifying the degree of ataxia. To determine the practical value of the four tests, 11 patients performed the tests for a second time after a follow up period of 16 months. The results indicate that tests 1, 2 and 4 are sensitive for the detection of ataxia and of changes in its severity.