Duchenne Musküler Distrofi’li Çocuklarda Baş-Boyun Kas Kuvvetinin Fonksiyonel Bağımsızlık Seviyesine Etkisi

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of head and neck muscle strenght on functional independence level in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Fourty children with DMD whose mean age were 89,3±18 month and functional levels were between 1-3 according to Brooke Functional Classification were included in the study. Twenty children whose neck muscle strength was equal of 3 and more than 3 were included in the control group and twenty children whose neck muscle strength was equal of less than 3 were included in the study group. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Manuel muscle testing, Range of motion of ankle joint, 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Northstar Ambulatory Assessment Scale (NSAA), Brooke functional classification, Timed performance tests (TPT), Pediatric Functional Reach test (PFRT), Frequency of falling , PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory), New York Posture Rating Scale (NYPR) were used to assess functional status of DMD children. In the end of the study, 6MWT distances were longer (p≤0.001), score of NSAA was higher (p≤0.001), Score of NYPR was higher (p≤0.001), Level of Brooke Functional classification was better (p≤0.001), Time of rising from floor was less (p≤0.004), frequency of falling was less (p≤0.001) than the study group in control group. This study results showed that the strength of neck flexors could be a clinically important determinant for functional level of children with DMD.