A study to assess the effectiveness of exercise (30 min walk) on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among Myasthenia Gravis patients attending Neuro OPD at AIIMS, New Delhi

NEED FOR STUDY It has been suggested that clinically stable MG patients, just like healthy individuals, should be able to reap the benefits of physical exercise.A regime of moderate exercise for 30 min a week has a positive impact on ADLs of MG patients. It has been seen in many studies that exercise programs have widely shown improvement in muscular and physical function. But, effectiveness of exercise programs in improvement of health related quality of life (HRQoL) had not been established so far. As far as researcher’s knowledge goes few studies have been done but it is widely scattered and generalization cannot be made so, it is done to strengthen the literature.

AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate whether a exercise (30 min walk) could improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of MG patients.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

To access the effectiveness of exercise(30 min walk) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of MG patients. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES 1.     To find out the effect of exercise (30 min walk) on activities of daily living of MG patient.

2.     To find out the association between MG-QoL and selected demographic variables

METHODOLOGY Research approach– Quantitative approach

Research design- Randomised Control Trial

Independent variable

Exercise (30 min walk)

Dependent variables

•        HRQoL

•        MGADLs

Setting of the study– Neuro OPD, AIIMS, New Delhi

Population-- patients with generalized and stable Myasthenia Gravis

Sample Size- Myasthenia Gravis patients attending Neuro OPD at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Sampling Technique- Purposive Sampling technique with random allocation.

Inclusion criteria •        Myasthenia Gravis patients attending Neurology OPD at AIIMS, New Delhi.•        MG patients who are willing to participate in the study.•        MG patients who are able to follow commands and instructions.•        MG patients with MG (MGFA class 2 and 3 ) and able to undergo 6 min walk test(6MWT).•        MG patients who have the access of smart phone or smart watches.MGFA: Myasthenia gravis foundation of America Classification

•        Class II- Mild weakness affecting other than ocular muscles

• IIa) Predominantly affecting limb or axial muscles or both
• IIb) Predominantly affecting oropharyngeal or respiratory muscles or both

•        Class III- Moderate weakness affecting other than ocular muscles

• lla)  Predominantly affecting limb or axial muscles or both
• llb) Predominantly affecting oropharyngeal or respiratory muscles or both

Exclusion criteria •        MG patients who are walking for more than 150 min per week.

•        Any contraindication to exercise.

•        MG patient with other co-morbid conditions.

•        Physically disabled MG patients.

•        MG patients who are not able to communicate in Hindi or English.

 Data collection tool and techniquesTool 1: Socio-demographic variable performa (Subject data sheet including Clinical profile)

Tool 2: MGQoL-15:15-item MG-specific quality of life scale.

Tool 3: MG Activities of Daily Living (MGADL) score.

PILOT STUDY

•        Pilot study will be done in June 2024 to check the feasibility of the study.