Treatment

There's no treatment specifically for ataxia. In some cases, treating the underlying cause resolves the ataxia, such as stopping medications that cause it. In other cases, such as ataxia that results from chickenpox or other viral infections, it's likely to resolve on its own. Your doctor might recommend treatment to manage symptoms, such as depression, stiffness, tremor, fatigue or dizziness, or suggest adaptive devices or therapies to help with your ataxia.

Adaptive devices

Ataxia caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy might not be treatable. In that case, your doctor may be able to recommend adaptive devices. They include:

• Hiking sticks or walkers for walking
• Modified utensils for eating
• Communication aids for speaking

Therapies

You might benefit from certain therapies, including:

• Physical therapy to help your coordination and enhance your mobility
• Occupational therapy to help you with daily living tasks, such as feeding yourself
• Speech therapy to improve speech and aid swallowing

Research has shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation may help improve gait and postural control in people with ataxia, but more research is needed. Some studies have indicated that aerobic exercise also may be beneficial for some people with idiopathic ataxic syndromes.