Role of Brain Gym exercise to improve cognition and ambulatory function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Quasi-Experimental Study

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is primarily characterised by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration with climbing stairs, a waddling gait, and frequent falls. The symptoms mainly affect cognitive function and ambulation due to the involvement of dystrophin protein, which is essential for muscle and brain function. DMD patients present with these symptoms around 2–3 years of age and most patients become wheelchair dependent around 10–12 years of age and need assisted ventilation at around 20 years of age.Cognitive impairment in DMD can manifest as learning difficulties, attention deficits, and intellectual disability, while ambulatory function impairment often results from muscle weakness and progressive loss of mobility.The classification of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) typically involves staging the progression of the disease based on functional abilities, muscle strength, and mobility. It can be classified into early ambulatory, transitional, and late ambulatory phases, along with the advanced progression of the disease.

Brain gym exercises, also known as educational kinesiology or brain-based learning, are a set of movements and activities designed to stimulate brain function and enhance cognitive abilities. These exercises aim to integrate the body and mind, improve focus, concentration, memory, and overall learning efficiency. Hooks-ups, modified hook-ups, brain buttons, lazy 8s, ear pulls, energy yawns, calf pumps, and cross crawls with hands on shoulders are a few brain gym exercises found to be effective in patients with cognitive impairment.

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in managing the symptoms of DMD by preserving muscle function, improving mobility, and addressing respiratory complications. It includes a combination of therapeutic exercises, stretching, positioning, and respiratory interventions.Integrating brain gym exercises into physiotherapy interventions can further enhance cognitive function, ambulatory function, and motor skills, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals living with DMD.With the evolving concept of brain gym exercises to improve cognition and function in children, the scope of brain gym exercises in DMD can be focused on this study to improve cognition and ambulatory function.