Yoga as an Adjunctive Intervention for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Neuromuscular Disorders

Background:

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disorder affecting muscle strength and function.
• Standard rehabilitative care aims to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals with DMD.
• The potential role of complementary therapies like yoga in DMD management is an area of ongoing exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of published evidence on yoga as an adjunctive intervention for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
• To summarize the characteristics and findings of studies examining yoga in DMD rehabilitation.
• To identify gaps in the current literature and suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across five databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, Web of Science, CINAHL).
• Studies published between January 2000 and December 2024, involving participants with DMD and examining yoga interventions, were included.
• Study quality was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black Checklist (MDBC).

Main Results:

• Six studies met the inclusion criteria, with five rated as fair quality and one as poor quality.
• Yoga interventions included postures (asanas), meditation (dhyana), and breathing practices (pranayama).
• Outcome measures were diverse, including mobility, self-care, respiratory function, and quality of life, with modest improvements noted in pulmonary function and well-being.

Conclusions:

• Current literature provides preliminary support for yoga as a complementary therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy rehabilitation.
• Evidence regarding the efficacy and clinical relevance of yoga in DMD is limited and inconsistent.
• More rigorous, large-scale trials are necessary to establish the definitive role of yoga in DMD management.