Effect of Electroacupuncture on Disease Progression in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Case Report

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked chromosomal recessive disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle function and mass. Male individuals affected by this condition often live into their late teens or early twenties and are confined to wheelchairs. Since there is currently no treatment for DMD, complementary and alternative medicines have become more widely used to help patients manage their condition and enhance their quality of life. Electroacupuncture has demonstrated beneficial results in terms of skeletal muscle protection.

Here we have reported a case of DMD aged 8 years, who had proximal weakness in the lower limb which is progressive over a period associated with waddling gait and indicated with Gower's sign which had affected the quality of life. The patient was treated with electroacupuncture for 15 sessions, over 21 days. The report documented an improvement in the patient's motor (Timed Function Test), functional abilities (North Star Ambulatory Assessment and 6-Minute Walk Test), and quality of life (PedsQL 4.0), which had not been noticed previously.

We documented the significance of electroacupuncture in treating DMD and improving functional ability and quality of life, which can be used as a complementary medicine to manage DMD.