Duchenne Musküler Distrofi’li Çocuklarda Merdiven Çıkma Aktivitesinde Kas Aktivasyonunun Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

This study was planned to examine the muscle activations in the stair climbing activity in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and to compare these activations between children with DMD with different functional levels and healthy children. The study included 21 children aged 5-12 years and functional levels between 1-3 years according to the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification (BLEFC), and 11 healthy children with similar demographic characteristics. After the demographic data of the children were recorded, muscle activations in the stair climbing activity were evaluated by surface electromyography. Lower extremity and trunk muscle strength measurements, 4-step stair climbing up/down times and 6 minutes walking distances of all children were recorded. In addition, evaluation results of lower extremity joint range of motion, anthropometric measurements, muscle shortness and physical performance were recorded in children with DMD. As a result of the study, children with DMD performed stair climbing activity with high muscle activation levels compared to healthy children (p<0.05). As the functional level worsened in children with DMD, muscle activation levels in stair climbing activity were found to be increased (p<0.05). The results of the study showed that children with DMD performed stair climbing activity in a longer time with higher activation levels in order to compensate for muscle weakness as their functional levels worsen. Our study revealed that, from the early period, both isolated muscle strengthening programs and training of these muscles during function are needed in order to reduce the losses in the physical performance and daily life activities of children with DMD and to maintain muscle strength.