Cerebellar Diseases and Occupation

Abstract

Cerebellar degenerative disorders are neurological diseases that may result in functional difficulties affecting autonomy and employability. Besides being a personal problem, cerebellar diseases are also a social issue in terms of costs incurred by the national health system and in the employment sphere. The aims of our study were to characterize and analyze the most important individual and organizational variables in a sample of working and non-working subjects affected by cerebellar ataxia. For the purposes of our research, we prepared two sets of tests, one for workers and one for non-workers. Both versions contain a socio-demographic, organizational and clinical diagnostic section and the Resilience Scale for Adults. The version for workers is composed of the Work Ability Index and the Health Service Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool. The version for non-workers consists instead of the Search for Work Self-Efficacy Scale. We have enrolled 45 patients (spinocerebellar ataxia, Friedreich’s ataxia and sporadic adult-onset cerebellar ataxia). Ataxic subjects display moderate levels of work ability. Workplace accessibility remains a critical issue that must addressed through targeted rehabilitation as well as ergonomic and training interventions. Such interventions are likely to be effective because ataxic workers positively perceive their abilities, strengths, planning and control capacity.

Keywords: Cerebellar ataxia, workers, musculoskeletal disorders, job placement

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100312