Outcome measures for the assessment of balance and postural control in Cerebellar Ataxia: a narrative review

Background: Discrepancies exist in the use of outcome measures for the assessment of balance and postural control among people with cerebellar ataxia. There is a need to explore the spectrum of tools used in order to determine their utility. Objectives: The aims of this narrative review were to identify, categorize, and discuss outcome measures used for the evaluation of balance and postural control in cerebellar assessment and intervention, and to identify outcome measures which might relate to the localization of cerebellar lesion. Major findings: Electronic search of the evaluation of cerebellar interventions and identification or illustration of clinical features of problems relating to balance and postural control identified 45 outcome measures. Using the international classification of functioning, the outcome measures were categorized as: health condition-specific (n = 7), body structure and function level (n = 13), activity level (n = 25), and none at a participatory level. Accessibility, time required to perform, and psychometric property testing determined the utility of outcome measures. Frequency and amplitude of postural sway, and measures obtained from force plate testing were used to localize the cerebellar lesion. Conclusion: A wide range of outcome measures were used to assess balance and postural control deficits; none of the clinical tools appeared to localize cerebellar lesion. Health condition-specific outcome measures were used for cerebellar intervention trials and psychometric properties of outcome measures at an activity level were not tested among pure cerebellar lesions. Further investigation is warranted to streamline the utility and selection of outcome measures for clinical practice.