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Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: 1-Year Locomotor Changes in Relation to a Control Group
Joyce Martini1, Fátima Aparecida Caromano1, Eduardo Vital Carvalho1
11 Department of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) showed slower walking and stair climbing times over 12 months compared to healthy peers. DMD boys also used more compensatory movements during walking.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disorder affecting muscle strength and function.
- Early detection of functional decline in DMD is crucial for timely intervention and management.
- Timed functional tests and movement analysis can provide objective measures of disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the functional performance and compensatory strategies of boys with DMD and healthy controls over 12 months.
- To assess changes in 10-meter walking and four-step stair climbing/descending performance.
- To evaluate the utility of the Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD in tracking disease progression.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study comparing 32 boys with DMD (mean age 10.0 years) and 38 healthy boys (mean age 9.2 years).
- Performance on 10-meter walking and four-step stair tasks (climbing and descending) was assessed.
- Digital scores from the Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD were obtained from video recordings at baseline, 6, and 12 months.
- General Linear Models analysis was used to compare groups across the three time points.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in 10-meter walking times at baseline; however, boys with DMD showed significantly longer times at 6 and 12 months.
- Boys with DMD exhibited increased compensatory movements during walking compared to controls.
- Boys with DMD were significantly slower than healthy controls in both climbing and descending stairs at all assessment points.
Conclusions:
- Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy experience a progressive decline in walking and stair-climbing abilities over a 12-month period.
- The use of compensatory movements in boys with DMD highlights functional adaptations to muscle weakness.
- Timed functional tests and observational scales are valuable tools for monitoring DMD progression and informing clinical care.
Abstract:
We compared the timed performance and compensatory movements of 32 boys (mean age = 10.0 years) with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and 38 healthy boys (mean age = 9.2 years) on 10 -meter walking and four-step stair work (climbing and descending). Dependent measures were digital scores on the Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD obtained by watching the boys on film. Groups were compared initially and after 6 and 12 months, using General Linear Models analysis (for two groups and three assessments). Results showed no significant timed performance differences between groups on 10 -m walking at the initial assessment; but boys with DMD showed longer times after 6 and 12 months, and boys with DMD engaged in more compensatory movements while walking. For stair climbing, boys with DMD were significantly slower than healthy controls when both climbing and descending steps in all assessments.
