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Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Lower Limb Flexibility in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Effects on Functional Performance
Lütfiye Akkurt1, İpek Alemdaroğlu Gürbüz1, Ayşe Karaduman1
1Hacettepe University.
Insights
Lower limb flexibility significantly impacts functional performance in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Improving flexibility may enhance mobility and daily activities for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disorder affecting muscle strength and function.
- Limited research exists on the specific impact of lower limb flexibility on functional performance in early-stage DMD.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted physiotherapy interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between lower limb muscle flexibility and functional performance in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- To identify specific lower limb muscles whose flexibility is most correlated with functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Thirty children with early-stage DMD (Brooke scale levels 1-2) participated.
- Flexibility of hamstrings, hip flexors, tensor fascia latae, and gastrocnemius muscles was measured.
- Functional performance was assessed via the 6-minute walk test and timed performance tests.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between lower extremity muscle flexibility and functional performance measures.
- Hamstring flexibility showed the strongest negative correlation (r = -0.825) with functional performance.
- Gastrocnemius (r = 0.545), hip flexors (r = 0.481), and tensor fascia latae (r = 0.445) flexibilities also correlated significantly with performance (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Lower limb flexibility plays a notable role in the functional performance of children in the early stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- These findings suggest that incorporating flexibility exercises into physiotherapy programs could be beneficial.
- Further long-term studies are warranted to confirm the impact of flexibility interventions on DMD functional outcomes.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of lower limb flexibility on the functional performance of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Methods:
Thirty children, whose functional levels were at 1 or 2 according to the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification Scale, were included in this study. The flexibilities of the hamstrings, hip flexors, tensor fascia latae, and gastrocnemius muscles were evaluated in the children's dominant lower limbs. The children's functional performance was assessed using 6-minute walk tests and timed performance tests. The correlations between the flexibilities of the lower limb muscles and the performance tests were examined.
Results:
The flexibilities of the lower extremity muscles were found to be correlated to the 6-minute walk tests and the timed performance tests. The flexibility of the hamstrings (r = -.825), the gastrocnemius muscles (r = .545), the hip flexors (r = .481), and the tensor fascia latae (r = .445) were found to be correlated with functional performance as measured by the 6-minute walk tests (P < .05).
Discussion:
The results of the current study indicate that the flexibility of the lower limbs has an effect on functional performance in the early stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. More research is needed to determine the functional effects of flexibility on performance by adding long-term flexibility exercises to the physiotherapy programs of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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