Hidehiko Beppu, MT, PhD, Naoki Takayanagi, RD, PhD, Yutaka Tomita, RE, PhD,
Kenmei Mizutani, MT, PhD, Abbas Orand, RE, PhD, Ikuko Tamai, MT,
Hisahide Takahashi, PhD, Shigeru Sonoda, MD, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 6: 64-70, 2015
Objective: The effect of forced gait training was
investigated in cerebellar ataxic mice (B6-wob/t)
using gait analysis and a rota-rod test.
Methods: B6 and B6-wob/t mice were divided into
non-exercise (NEx) and exercise (Ex) groups. The Ex
group received forced gait training with a running
wheel at 2 m/min for 50 minutes, three times a day,
six days a week, for 12 weeks. The rota-rod test was
performed every 4 weeks during this period, and gait
was evaluated using our pelvic axis-based gait analysis
method (pelvic axis method) when a significant
difference was noted between the NEx and Ex groups.
The multiple comparison test was used for statistical
analysis.
Results: After gait training for 12 weeks, the time
until falling in the rota-rod test was significantly
extended to 115 seconds in the Ex group compared to
that (90 seconds) in the NEx group, and the hindlimb
step width measured using the pelvic axis method was
significantly narrower in the EX than NEx group.
Conclusion: Forced gait training may be effective for
ataxic symptoms of B6-wob/t. The combination of the
pelvic axis-based gait analysis and rota-rod test was
useful to evaluate the improvement of ataxia.
Key words: cerebellar ataxia, B6-wob/t mouse, forced running wheel exercise, pelvic axis-based gait analysis, rota-rod test