Consensus Clinical Management Guidelines for Friedreich's Ataxia
Delatycki, M., Corben, L., et al. (2014).
Springfield (VA): Friedreich Ataxia Research Alliance, 1-261.
This guideline provides recommendations for the management of individuals with Friedreich ataxia. The guidelines were written by clinicians, and the primary audience for these recommendations includes clinicians who treat Friedreich ataxia. In the absence of evidence, recommendations are based on the collective expertise of the working group.
Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance
<div>Traditional, non-systematic behavioral-based speech therapy may not be helpful for treating progressive dysarthria secondary to Friedreich's ataxia (Good Practice Point).</div>
<div>Patients with Friedreich's Ataxia may benefit from FM systems and/or listening therapy if they have hearing loss (Grade B Evidence).</div>
<div>Intensive and systematic behavioral-based speech therapy may be beneficial to people with dysarthria secondary to Friedreich's ataxia (Grade C Evidence).</div>
<div>Hearing devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants may not improve symptoms of hearing loss due to Friedreich's Ataxia. (Good Practice Point).</div>
<div>Individuals with Friedreich's ataxia should receive a comprehensive evaluation for dysarthria by a speech and language pathologist (SLP) at the time of diagnosis or symptom onset. Review assessments should occur to monitor performance over time (Grade C Evidence).</div>
<div>At the time of diagnosis, patients with Friedreich's Ataxia should also undergo an audiology evaluation and have hearing screenings assessments annually, or sooner if the patient reports a sudden change in auditory performance (Grade B Evidence).</div>
<div>Environmental modification techniques may be beneficial for individuals with dysarthria secondary to Friedreich's ataxia (Grade C Evidence).</div>
