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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Analysis of motor and respiratory function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients
Lívia Cocato Luiz1, Fernando Augusto Lima Marson2, Celize Cruz Bresciani Almeida1
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, 13081-970, P.O. Box: 6111 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Introduction:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) shows motor and respiratory impairment.
Methods:
19 DMD patients (DMDG) (nine ambulatory and 10 non-ambulatory) were evaluated through motor function measure (MFM), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), respiratory muscle strength, cough peak flow, spirometry and volumetric capnography (VCap) tools. Control group that performed spirometry and VCap (CG1-n = 17) were different from those that performed the 6MWT (CG2-n = 8).
Results:
The follow tools were assessed (p < 0.05): (i) MFM: Ambulatory patients showed higher values than non-ambulatory patients; (ii) 6MWT: DMDG walked a shorter distance and showed higher respiratory rate at rest and heart rate (HR) at rest than CG2; (iii) Spirometry: DMDG and non-ambulatory patients had minor values achieved in spirometry when compared with CG1 and ambulatory patients, respectively; (iv) VCap: DMDG when compared with CG1 showed: (<11 years-old) lower values in VCap parameters; (>11 years-old): higher HR and lower slope 2. There was correlation between spirometry, mainly for zFEV1/FVC, and MFM.
Conclusion:
DMDG showed motor (MFM/6MWT) and respiratory (spirometry/VCap) deterioration when compared with CG. Non-ambulatory condition was associated with worse MFM and spirometry.
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