La Malbaie

Spastic ataxias, including Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) and Spastic Paraplegia 7 (SPG7), are diseases that cause walking difficulties and balance problems, leading to a high risk of falls. Currently, there are no drug treatments available for these conditions, and non-drug therapies specifically designed for spastic ataxias are lacking despite their significant impact on patients' lives and societal costs. This research aims to evaluate the effects of a specialized rehabilitation program on disease severity, understand factors affecting its implementation in clinical practice, and explore its cost benefits. The study will assess a 12-week supervised rehabilitation program called IMPACT, designed specifically for spastic ataxias. Participants will attend three 60-minute training sessions each week—two in a therapy room and one in an adapted pool with varying water levels—totaling 36 sessions. The program targets postural control, balance, trunk-limbs coordination, and functional mobility, with exercise difficulty tailored individually by physiotherapists and physiotherapy technologists based on initial assessments and ongoing participant performance. During the study, participants will undergo pre-intervention assessments to set exercise levels and will be monitored over 64 weeks to evaluate changes in ataxia severity. Safety and adherence will be overseen by trained staff, ensuring exercises are performed appropriately. The study will measure disease severity as its primary outcome, aiming to provide health care professionals with better rehabilitation options suited to individuals living with spastic ataxias worldwide.