The Role of Exercise as a Therapy for Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen P. Sayers

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disease affecting muscle fiber integrity in boys that leads to progressive weakness in skeletal muscle and premature death. Currently, there is no known cure for the disease. Different interventions have been explored to delay the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life for the DMD patient. Physical activity is one treatment that has generated controversy due to the increased mechanical stress placed on the muscle during contraction. This review explores the literature in animal models and human DMD patients and evaluates the known theoretical risks and benefits of increased physical activity in DMD patients.

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Paolo Custurone ◽  
Laura Macca ◽  
Lucrezia Bertino ◽  
Debora Di Mauro ◽  
Fabio Trimarchi ◽  
...  

The link between psoriasis and sport is a controversial issue. The topic has been poorly investigated, and nowadays there are many unsolved questions, dealing with the role of psoriasis in influencing the sporting habits of patients and, vice versa, the impact of sport activity on course, severity and extent of the disease, with particular regard to the indirect benefits on cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, the role of physical activity on patients’ quality of life and the potential limitations on physical activity due to joint involvement have not been well elucidated until now. In this narrative review we will try to provide answers to these queries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1490-1498
Author(s):  
Erik Landfeldt ◽  
Joel Iff ◽  
Erik Henricson ◽  
V. Vishwanathan ◽  
S. Chidambaranathan ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayah M. Liska ◽  
Angie Kolen

Abstract Purpose: As a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many cancer survivors experience persistent physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that affect their quality of life. Physical activity has been identified as an intervention that may help to manage the side effects of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on overall quality of life in adult cancer survivors. Methods: One-on-one semi structured interviews were conducted in person or via telephone with 13 adult (≥18 yrs) cancer survivors who had completed cancer treatment. Results: These cancer survivors described their physical activity as improving their physical functioning and mental health, as a means of positive social engagement, and adding positivity to their daily life. Conclusion: These results support the role of physical activity to enhance cancer survivors’ quality of life regardless of the individuals’ treatment(s) type, duration, or time since the end of active cancer treatment. Further research is warranted to (a) expand this research with a larger sample, (b) examine healthcare providers’ knowledge and application of exercise guidelines to cancer survivors in cancer care, and (c) explore implementation strategies for greater advocacy for healthcare providers to share the exercise recommendations with cancer survivors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Fidao ◽  
Alysha De Livera ◽  
Tracey Weiland ◽  
George Jelinek ◽  
Sandra Neate ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fatigue is among the most prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and significantly detrimental to mental quality of life. We examined the role of depression and physical activity as mediators in the fatigue-QoL relationship in MS. Methods Using an international study cohort measuring a wide range of lifestyle and clinical factors, determinants of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and mental quality of life (MSQoL-54; QoL) were assessed in 2,104 participants using log-binomial and linear regression, respectively. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the mediating role of depression and physical activity between fatigue and mental QoL. Results The median mental QoL score in the sample was 73.8/100. The mean fatigue score was 40.5/63, with 65.6% having clinically significant fatigue. In SEM analyses evaluating depression as a mediator of the fatigue-QoL relationship, mental QoL was 14.17-points lower in those with clinically significant fatigue, of which the indirect effect via depression accounted for over 30.8% (p < 0.001). This mediation effect was most pronounced for the Role Limitations from Emotional Issues (44.9%, p < 0.001) and Emotional Wellbeing (41.6%, p < 0.001) subdomains. Evaluating physical activity as a mediator of the fatigue-QoL relationship, mental QoL was 11.03-points lower in those with clinically significant fatigue, of which the indirect effect via physical activity accounted for only 1.0% (p = 0.001). Conclusions This study provides evidence that depression accounts for a majority of the fatigue-mental QoL relationship, while physical activity only plays a small role. While replication and longitudinal studies are required for validation, our findings may inform the development of treatments for reducing the impacts of fatigue and improving QoL in people with MS. Key messages Fatigue’s negative impact on emotional quality of life in multiple sclerosis is not a function of reduced ambulation but instead its impact on depression. Reducing depression may thus markedly improve quality of life in this population.


Author(s):  
Y Wei ◽  
B El-Aloul ◽  
C Nguyen ◽  
E Zapata-Aldana ◽  
C Campbell

Background: Fatigue was recently reported to be the largest contributor to poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in paediatric Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Additional studies are necessary to confirm the generalizability of this finding. Our objective was to explore the longitudinal relationship between fatigue and HRQOL in an additional cohort of DMD patients. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial (NCT00592553), which enrolled patients with nonsense mutation DMD, aged 5–20 years, from 37 sites in 11 countries (N=174). Fatigue and HRQOL were assessed using the PedsQLTM Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Generic Core Scales, respectively, by patient- and parent-report at baseline and over 48 weeks. Results: Patients reported greater fatigue than healthy controls from published data. There was no significant difference between patient- and parent-reported fatigue. Fatigue was significantly correlated with worse HRQOL at baseline, by patient-report (r=0.70, P<0.001) and parent-report (r=0.70, P<0.001); and at 48 weeks, by patient-report (r=0.79, P<0.001) and parent-report (r=0.74, P<0.001). Change in fatigue was significantly correlated with change in HRQOL over 48 weeks, by patient-report (r=0.64, P<0.001) and parent-report (r=0.67, P<0.001). Conclusions: Fatigue is a major contributor to HRQOL in DMD. The strong association between fatigue and HRQOL corroborates previous studies, and suggests that reducing fatigue may improve HRQOL.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julieta Rodini Engrácia de Moraes ◽  
Lygia Maria Mouri Malvestio ◽  
Isabela Mancini Martins ◽  
Patrícia Regina Erdmann Mosko ◽  
Jair Rodini Engracia Filho ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) is the most representative model for studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in humans, owing its phenotypic expression. DMD is a recessive disorder linked to the X chromosome in which the loss of dystrophin induces progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal and cardiac muscles, which lead to replacement by connective and adipose tissues. Onset of clinical signs occurs between 2 and 5 years of age, and many patients die from heart or respiratory failure. The main studies concerning dystrophic Golden Retrievers (DGR) sought to elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease and its clinical implications to develop therapies and alternative treatments to improve the quality of life and increase longevity of DMD patients. This review presents an overview of relevant contributions of the DGR model for elucidating DMD in humans.


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