P.7.18 Effects of upper extremity exercise training on respiratory function and quality of life in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

To investigate the effects of trainings including two different types of exercises for upper extremity (aerobic and strengthening) on respiratory function and quality of life in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). 24 children (8–15 years of age) with DMD whose upper extremity functional status were between Grade1–3 according to the Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Classification included in the study. Children were divided into 2 groups randomly as study (N = 12) and control group (N = 12). T-Shirt wearing time (s) which is one of the timed performance tests were recorded. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) were recorded by using Microlife PF 100 – Asthma Management System, Peak Expiratory Flow (Microlife AG, Switzerland) electronic respiratory muscle strength measuring device. Quality of life of children were assessed with The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)-Neuromuscular Module Turkish version (child and parent forms). Children in the study group received 45-min exercise sessions with electronic arm ergometer, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Strengthening exercises for upper extremity were given as home program to control group during 8-weeks. Assessments were repeated after trainings. The time elapsed for T-Shirt wearing decreased after training in study group (mean ages 9.50 ± 1.38 years) compared to control group (mean ages 9.3 ± 1.4 years) (z = −2.281; p 0.05). There were negative, strong correlation between PEF-T-Shirt wearing time (r = −0.629; p