An upcoming study will evaluate the effects of trunk-oriented exercises compared to whole-body vibration as therapeutic options for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Researchers will soon initiate the recruiting process for this interventional study. The clinical trial will include approximately 30 participants previously diagnosed with DMD with randomized allocation and parallel assignment.
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According to the intervention, the individuals will become part of 1 of 2 groups. The first group will receive trunk-oriented exercises such as stretching and stabilization (both active and active assisted) exercises. Specifically, the patients will undergo arm exercises in fixed trunk position, active and active assisted trunk oriented exercises, trunk mobilization in sitting and lying positions, and functional reaching exercises with varying ranges of motion of shoulder elevation.
The second group will attend whole-body vibration sessions. These patients will first squat on a vibrating platform with a frequency of 30 Hz and 2mm of amplitude for 5 minutes. Afterward, the patient will rest for 1 minute and then stand on the platform with the help of a therapist for another 5 minutes with the same vibrating parameters. The therapist must encourage patients to communicate any discomfort.
The authors aim to measure the abdominal muscle thickness as the primary outcome, identifying any change from baseline at the 4 week follow-up. Ultrasonography will calculate the thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and transversus abdominis.
Moreover, the study will report any improvement or variation in balance, measured by the Biodex Balance System after 4 weeks of either treatment as the secondary outcome.
Children from 6 to 11 years of age, of both sexes, with a confirmed diagnosis of DMD and muscle strength of 3 points or more in the trunk and lower limb muscles, with functional range of motion in all 4 limbs, that are able to walk alone, can become part of the sample.
This novel research will begin in January 2023 and is expected to be completed by April 2023.
Reference
Trunk oriented exercises versus whole-body vibration for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. ClinicalsTrials.gov. Accessed January 24, 2023.
