DOI: 10.33438/ijdshs.1312910 ISSN: 2645-9094

Tele-Rehabilitation for Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in India Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Implementation Study

Priyanka GUPTA, Amrit Pal Singh SOOD, Seveka BALİ, Somya SAXENA, Sudhansu BARAL, Ruby NİMESH, Renu SUTHAR
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies
  • Health (social science)
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
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Purpose: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common, X-linked progressive neuromuscular disorder of childhood onset which leads to loss of ambulation , followed by respiratory and cardiac muscle weakness. Physiotherapy is integral to the multidisciplinary care plan for boys with DMD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tele-medicine was increasingly used to provide healthcare to patients . The study aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of Tele-rehabilitation among ambulatory boys with DMD. Materials and Methods: Ambulatory boys aged 5 to 12 years with DMD were recruited. The Tele-rehabilitation program was designed by a neuromuscular team and provided by a physiotherapist through telephonic video calls twice a month for three months. A compliance diary was provided to fill out at home after each session. The outcome was measured with a change in Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score and gower's times at 12 weeks. Main Results: 92 boys with DMD were enrolled, the mean age was 7.38±1.6 years, and 66 (71%) boys completed the program and had follow-up at 12 weeks. The baseline MRC sum score was 38.2±3.7, and the gower's time was 9.2±6.7 seconds. At 12 weeks MRC sum score was 38.8±4.2, and gower's time was 8.59±7.7 seconds (p-value- 0.03 and p-value- 0.001), respectively. The Vigno's and Brook's scores didn't show a significant change. Compliance of >50% to the Tele-rehabilitation exercise programs was present in 89% of subjects. Major results: A short-term Tele-rehabilitation program was feasible with a high compliance rate and efficacious in motor strengthening among boys with DMD.

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