1. Safety, feasibility, and efficacy of strengthening exercise in <scp>Duchenne</scp> muscular dystrophy
- Author
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Barry J. Byrne, Hyunjun Park, Glenn A. Walter, Donovan J. Lott, Tanja Taivassalo, Zahra Moslemi, Krista Vandenborne, Abhinandan Batra, Korey D. Cooke, and Sean C. Forbes
- Subjects
Male ,0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Physiology ,Duchenne muscular dystrophy ,Hamstring Muscles ,Isometric exercise ,030105 genetics & heredity ,Article ,Quadriceps Muscle ,03 medical and health sciences ,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,0302 clinical medicine ,Stairs ,Physiology (medical) ,medicine ,Humans ,Muscle Strength ,Functional ability ,Child ,Muscle, Skeletal ,Creatine Kinase ,Exercise ,biology ,Knee extensors ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,Magnetic Resonance Imaging ,Exercise Therapy ,Intensity (physics) ,Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ,Treatment Outcome ,Ambulatory ,biology.protein ,Physical therapy ,Feasibility Studies ,Creatine kinase ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This two-part study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a mild-moderate resistance isometric leg exercise program in ambulatory boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: First, we used a dose escalation paradigm with varying intensity and frequency of leg isometric exercise to determine the dose response and safety in 10 boys. Second, we examined safety and feasibility of a 12-week in-home, remotely-supervised, mild-moderate intensity strengthening program in 8 boys. Safety measures included T(2) MRI, creatine kinase levels, and pain. Peak strength and function (time to ascend/descend 4 stairs) were also measured. RESULTS: Dose-escalation revealed no signs of muscle damage. Seven of the 8 boys completed the 12-week in-home program with a compliance of 84.9%, no signs of muscle damage, and improvements in strength (knee extensors p < 0.01; knee flexors p < 0.05) and function (descending steps p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: An in-home, mild-moderate intensity leg exercise program is safe with potential to positively impact both strength and function in ambulatory boys with DMD.
- Published
- 2020