Rehabilitation research in neuromuscular diseases: current research activities and future research needs

Rehabilitation management of individuals with neuromuscular disorders has been based primarily on clinical observation. Most investigations of treatment failed to follow sound clinical research techniques and were retrospective. In addition to using appropriate clinical research methodology, 2 parallel categories of research are desirable: investigations of the natural course of each disease, and studies of treatment outcomes. Prospective studies are needed of treatment interventions designed to include an adequate treatment group sample, control subjects matched for duration or severity of disease, supervised therapy sessions, an appropriate objective, valid and reliable measurement criterion against which to assess outcomes, and a double blind system.