[home] [Personal Program] [Help]

---

Session: Poster session I
Session starts: Thursday 24 January, 15:00

---

Mariska Janssen (Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Jaap Harlaar (MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Imelda de Groot (Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

Abstract:
Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness, resulting in loss of functional abilities. With increasing life expectancy, the preservation of functional abilities of the upper limb becomes increasingly important. Knowledge on the way arm function is lost in DMD is needed to monitor disease progression and to design new arm supports. Therefore feasibility and validity of a new measurement protocol, using 3D kinematics and surface electromyography (sEMG) for measuring arm function in boys with DMD was examined in a pilot study. Methods: Five boys with DMD and 6 age matched controls participated in this pilot study. Standardized (StM) and non standardized (NStM) single joint movements and ADL activities were examined by means of 3D motion analysis in combination with sEMG. Outcome measures were: normalized EMG amplitude, passive range of motion (pROM), active range of motion (aROM) and the absolute difference between pROM and aROM. Results: All boys with DMD and controls were able to perform the measurement protocol. Boys with DMD used significantly more of their maximal muscle capacity to conduct movements compared to controls. pROM and aROM of some movements were impaired in boys with DMD. Discussion/Conclusion: The measurement protocol was found feasible for measuring arm function in boys with DMD. The tool was able to discriminate between patients and controls and also between different stages of the disease. To gain more specific insight in the deterioration of arm function in DMD more patients should be measured. For future measurement we have made adjustments in the measurement protocol. A different kinematic model will be used which can measure scapula kinematics. More muscles are measured to gain insight in specific muscle activation patterns while the number of movement directions is reduced, and the activities in the protocol should be adaptable for different disease severities.