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Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy in Children With Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Duchenne or Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Interventions
Other: Aquatic Therapy Group
Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Group
Registration Number
NCT06186310
Lead Sponsor
Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is ; to evaluate the effects of aquatic therapy applied in addition to conventional physical therapy on balance, functionality and quality of life in children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Detailed Description

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy in childhood caused by a mutation of the DMD gene. Progressive muscle weakness is the main symptom, as muscle fiber degeneration is the primary pathological process.

Weakness selectively affects the proximal before the distal limb muscles and the lower before the upper limbs. The affected child therefore has difficulty running, jumping, and walking up steps.

Although there is currently no treatment method that eliminates the disease, exercise practices significantly improve the quality of life of children.

There are not enough studies in the literature evaluating whether the addition of aquatic therapy to conventional physical therapy helps to improve balance skills, functionality and quality of life in children with muscular dystrophy.

The purpose of this study is ; to evaluate the effects of aquatic therapy applied in addition to conventional physical therapy on balance, functionality and quality of life in children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Our study will include children aged 5-18 years and complete a 10 -m walk without assistance/support who are diagnosed with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy by a neurologist and followed up in the Muscular Diseases Unit of Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital In follow-ups, patients who are planned to receive aquatic therapy will be listed according to their application dates.

In addition to the exercises home programme, patients at the top of the list will receive aquatic treatment 3 days a week for a total of 5 weeks with a physiotherapist.

Patients at the bottom of the list will form the control group and will receive home programme exercise while waiting in line for aquatic therapy After 5 weeks, the initial assessments will be repeated and recorded

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
16
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or Becker Muscular Dystrophy by a neurologist
  • Between the ages of 5-18, with ongoing ambulation
  • Co-operating with the physiotherapist's practices
Exclusion Criteria
  • Those who will not be able to perform the evaluation parameters
  • Have a serious systemic disease that may interfere with exercise
  • Injury and/or surgery in the last 6 months
  • Receive gene therapy
  • In the presence of contraindications to aquatic therapy such as excessive fear of water, behavioral problems, shortness of breath at rest, infection, incontinence, known chlorine allergy, open wound, acute systemic disease, epilepsy, tracheotomy, permanent drain, immunodeficiency

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Aquatic Therapy GroupAquatic Therapy Groupin addition to the home programme exercises, aquatic exercises will be performed with a physiotherapist
Conventional Physical Therapy GroupConventional Physical Therapy GroupPersonalized exercises in the form of a home program will be demonstrated by the physiotherapist
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pediatric Berg Balance Scalefive weeks

The Pediatric Balance Scale is a modified version of the Berg Balance Scale that is used to assess functional balance skills in school-aged children. The scale consists of 14 items: sitting to standing,standing to sitting,transfers,standing unsupported,sitting unsupported,standing with eyes closed,standing with feet together,standing with one foot in front,standing on one foot,turning 360 degrees,turning to look behind,retrieving object from floor,placing alternate foot on stool,reaching forward with outstretched arm. That are scored from 0 points (lowest function) to 4 points (highest function) with a maximum score of 56 points.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Timed Performance Tests (walking 10 m, climbing 4 steps and descending 4 steps)five weeks

It will be used to evaluate the functional performance of children against time.

Time to climb a 4-step staircase: They will be asked to climb a 4-step stair platform in the same way they climb in daily life

Descending a 4-step ladder: They will be asked to descend a 4-step ladder platform in the same way they descend in daily life.

Time to walk a distance of 10 meters: Children are asked to walk a predetermined distance of 10 meters at the same pace they walk in their daily lives.Results will be recorded.

The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)-Neuromuscular Module (PedsQL-3.0five weeks

The PedsQL 3.0 Neuromuscular Module scale was prepared in child self-report and parent report formats for children aged 5-18 years.The scale consists of a total of 25 items under 3 categories: symptoms related to neuromuscular disease, communication, and family resources.Items are scored on a Likert scale from 0 (never a problem) to 4 (always a problem).Higher scores on the module indicate better health-related quality of life

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital

🇹🇷

Istanbul, Gaziosmanpaşa, Turkey

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