Physical activity and the use of standard and complementary therapies in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies

Exploring the effects of physical exercise on inferiority feeling in children and adolescents with disabilities: a test of chain mediated effects of self-depletion and self-efficacy

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical exercise on inferiority feeling of children and adolescents with disabilities and its mechanism of action, as well as the mediating role of self depletion and self-efficacy.

Methods

The following scales were administered to 546 children and adolescents with disabilities (mean age 15.6 years): The Feelings of Inadequacy Scale, (FIS), the Self-Regulation Fatigue Scale (S-RFS), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Physical Exercise Rating Scale.

Results

(1) Physical exercise can directly and negatively predict inferiority feeling, self-depletion, and can directly and positively predict self-efficacy; self-depletion can directly and negatively predict self-efficacy. Similarly, self-depletion positively predicts inferiority feeling; physical exercise and self-efficacy can also directly and negatively predict inferiority feeling. (2) The indirect effect of the path with self-depletion as the mediating variable was - 0.05, the indirect effect of the path with self-efficacy as the mediating variable was - 0.09, and the indirect effect of the path with self-depletion and self-efficacy as the mediating variables was - 0.04. (3) The sum of all indirect effects was - 0.18, and the three indirect effects accounted for 15.6%, 28.1%, and 12.5% of the total effect, with mediating effect was 56.2%.

Conclusion

Physical exercise can indirectly predict inferiority feeling in children and adolescents with disabilities through the independent mediation of self-depletion and self-efficacy, as well as through the chain mediation of both. This study supports that moderate physical exercise has a positive effect on the mental health of children and adolescents with disabilities, and that reducing self-depletion and improving self-efficacy are important ways to prevent inferiority feeling among children and adolescents with disabilities. It reveals the relationship between physical exercise and inferiority feeling and its mechanism of action, and further improves the research on the effect of physical exercise on inferiority feeling of children and adolescents with disabilities.

How is Physical Activity Measured in Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) provides many substantial benefits to help reduce risk for cardiometabolic disease, improve cognitive function, and improve quality of life. Individuals with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are characterized by muscular weakness and fatigue, which limits the capacity to reach the recommended guidelines of PA. Measuring PA in these populations can provide insight to participation in daily activities, track disease progression, and monitor efficacy of drug treatments.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify how PA is measured in SMA and DMD using instrumented and self-report methods, and how these methods are employed in ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed to identify studies that reported PA in these neuromuscular disorders. Inclusion was determined after a multi-stage review process by several reviewers, followed by an in-depth analysis of metrics reported by each tool that was used.

RESULTS

A total of nineteen studies were identified and included in this review. Sixteen studies included instrumented measures and four studies utilized self-reported measures, with eleven studies also reporting PA information from a non-ambulatory group. A variety of metrics have been reported using both classes of measurement tools.

CONCLUSION

Although a wide variety of research exists that details both instrumented and self-reported measurement tools, feasibility, cost, and study aims are important factors to consider in addition to testing methodology when selecting which type of tool to use. We recommend using a combination of instrumented and self-report measures to provide context to the PA measured in these populations. Improvements in both instrumented and self-report methodologies will add valuable knowledge about the disease burden and efficacy of treatment and disease management methods in SMA and DMD.

Promoting the Participation of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities in Sports, Recreation, and Physical Activity

The benefits of physical activity are likely universal for all children, including children and adolescents with disabilities (CWD). The participation of CWD in physical activity, including adaptive or therapeutic sports and recreation, promotes inclusion, minimizes deconditioning, optimizes physical functioning, improves mental health as well as academic achievement, and enhances overall well-being. Despite these benefits, CWD face barriers to participation and have lower levels of fitness, reduced rates of participation, and a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared with typically developing peers. Pediatricians and caregivers may overestimate the risks or overlook the benefits of physical activity in CWD, which further limits participation. Preparticipation evaluations often include assessment of health status, functional capacity, individual activity preferences, availability of appropriate programs, and safety precautions. Given the complexity, the preparticipation evaluation for CWD may not occur in the context of a single office visit but rather over a period of time with input from the child's multidisciplinary team (physicians, coaches, physical education teachers, school nurses, adaptive recreation specialists, physical and occupational therapists, and others). Some CWD may desire to participate in organized sports to experience the challenge of competition, and others may prefer recreational activities for enjoyment. To reach the goal of inclusion in appropriate physical activities for all children with disabilities, child, family, financial, and societal barriers to participation need to be identified and addressed. Health care providers can facilitate participation by encouraging physical activity among CWD and their families during visits. Health care providers can create "physical activity prescriptions" for CWD on the basis of the child's preferred activities, functional status, need for adaptation of the activity and the recreational opportunities available in the community. This clinical report discusses the importance of participation in sports, recreation, and physical activity for CWD and offers practical suggestions to health care providers.

Questionnaires assessing the use of complementary health approaches in pediatrics and their measurement properties: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To identify questionnaires assessing the use of complementary health approaches (CHA) in pediatrics, describe their content, and appraise the methodological quality of the studies and the measurement properties of the questionnaires.

METHOD

Major electronic databases were searched from 2011 to 2020. Studies which aimed to assess the use of CHA and studies which reported developing and validating CHA questionnaires in pediatrics were included. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and rated the methodological quality of the studies and measurement properties of the questionnaires using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. When consensus was not reached, a third reviewer was consulted.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight studies were included. From these studies, 35 CHA questionnaires with a variety of different items were identified. Only two studies aimed to evaluate the measurement properties of two questionnaires. One questionnaire, available as a self- and proxy-report, was initially validated in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and the other, available as an interviewer-administered questionnaire, was validated in children with cancer. According to the COSMIN, the methodological quality of both studies was inadequate or doubtful, and both questionnaires was not thoroughly validated.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review showed a lack of a thoroughly validated CHA questionnaire in pediatrics. However, two questionnaires were found to hold promise. To address this gap, one of the existing questionnaires should be adapted and further validated.

The effects of calf massage in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a prospective interventional study

Purpose: We explored the effects of standardized calf massage in ambulant boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) using a prospective study design.Materials and Methods: Twenty boys completed two study visits, 1 week apart. At both visits, each leg received a 10-min calf massage (intervention) and a 10-min control rest period (placebo) in randomized order. Muscle length of calf and hamstrings and gastrocnemius stiffness were measured by a blinded assessor before and after intervention and placebo. Measures of gait function (timed 10-m walk/run and spatio-temporal gait parameters); gastrocnemius muscle ultrasound findings; participant perception of leg pain, stiffness and effort of walking and general psychological well-being were also collected.Results: Consistent significant small increases in muscle length of soleus, gastrocnemius and hamstrings were recorded post-massage, and gastrocnemius stiffness decreased. Small changes in gastrocnemius and soleus length only were also recorded following the control rest period. Gait function and general well-being remained stable throughout. Measurement across both study visits suggested that gains in muscle length may be cumulative with repeated massage.Conclusions: Calf massage is safe and associated with benefits to muscle length and stiffness for ambulant boys with DMD.Implications for RehabilitationIn a small sample of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, calf massage was found to be safe, well-tolerated and associated with increased muscle length and decreased stiffness.The use of massage may assist in managing muscle length in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Psychosocial impact of sport activity in neuromuscular disorders

Previous studies demonstrated the benefits of motor exercise and physical activity in neuromuscular disorders. However, very few papers assessed the effects of sport practise. The aim of this multicentre study was to assess the impact of sport activity on self-esteem and emotional regulation in a cohort of athletes with neuromuscular disorders. The 38 patients with Duchenne, Becker or other types of muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy practising sport (aged 13-49 years) and 39 age-, gender-, disability- and disease-matched patients not practising sport were enrolled. Testing procedures to assess self-esteem, anxiety and depression disorder, personality trait and quality of life (QoL) were used. Patients practising sport had a significantly higher self-esteem, lower level of depression, greater social own identity and adherence and QoL. Frequency of sport activity may represent a complementary therapy in neuromuscular disorders to improve mental and social well-being.

Nutritional and Gastrointestinal Management of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Advances in treatment and multidisciplinary management have resulted in improved survival of individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Updated DMD treatment recommendations as found in the 2018 DMD Care Considerations are aimed to assist multidisciplinary care teams in providing standardized care to their patients, including attention to nutritional and gastrointestinal health. Challenges remain for care teams in accurately estimating height and nutritional status for individuals with DMD. It can be difficult for patients to maintain a healthy weight. Risk factors for obesity include glucocorticoid therapy and loss of ambulation. In contrast, in the later stages of the disease, swallowing dysfunction can lead to poor nutrition and consideration for gastrostomy tube placement. Constipation is highly prevalent, underrecognized, and undertreated in DMD. With this article, we address the assessment and management of gastrointestinal and nutritional issues, as well as clinical controversies.