Importance of long-term motor function evaluation after prednisolone treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

[Purpose] Motor function evaluation by physical therapists is considered a valuable tool to assess the progression of muscular dystrophies. Few reports have described long-term motor function assessment during the administration of corticosteroids such as prednisolone (PSL) in these patients. This study examined the importance of long-term non-invasive motor function evaluation in a series of 3 cases. [Participants and Methods] Three boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who were administered an identical PSL dosage regimen were retrospectively evaluated, and motor function tests were compared in them before and after an increase in PSL dosage. Regular feedback was obtained from the patients' mothers regarding their impressions of their child's motor function after the introduction of PSL. [Results] Motor function was conserved or significantly improved after an increase in dosage in all cases. Interestingly, subjective assessment by mothers revealed a perceived improvement only in case 1 without any changes reported in cases 2 or 3. [Conclusion] PSL was demonstrably effective for 2.5-5 years after initiating PSL treatment, although parental impressions varied. Thus, long-term non-invasive evaluation by physical therapists may provide important objective data regarding medication efficacy and disease progression. Future studies should include long-term testing results as an essential component of the discontinuation criteria for PSL.