RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The commonly used dynamometers can be ineffective in evaluating handgrip in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), especially children with generalized muscle weakness. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the modified sphygmomanometer is an effective instrument for handgrip strength evaluation in patients with DMD, during different stages of the disease. METHOD: The handgrip strength of 33 patients was evaluated by the Jamar dynamometer and the modified sphygmomanometer. Motor function was evaluated by the Motor Function Measurement (MFM) scale. Four evaluations, with a six-month interval between each, were performed: Evaluation 1 (N = 33), Evaluation 2 (N = 24), Evaluation 3 (N = 15), and Evaluation 4 (N = 8). A linear regression model with mixed effects was used for the longitudinal data and descriptive analysis of strength for all four evaluations. RESULT: The first evaluation data presented very high correlations between the dynamometer and the modified sphygmomanometer (r = 0.977; p < 0.001). The longitudinal analysis showed a significant difference between Evaluation 1 and the other handgrip strength evaluations obtained using the dynamometer (p < 0.05) but not the modified sphygmomanometer (p > 0.05). Null values were obtained only when using the dynamometer device. CONCLUSION: The modified sphygmomanometer seems to be more suitable than the dynamometer for measuring handgrip strength in all stages of DMD.
Assuntos
Força da Mão , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne , Criança , Força da Mão/fisiologia , Humanos , Força Muscular/fisiologia , Debilidade Muscular , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/diagnósticoRESUMO
A capacidade de marcha em pacientes com distrofia muscular de Duchenne diminui progressivamente devido ao avanço da fraqueza e encurtamento muscular. As órteses para membros inferiores são frequentemente prescritas na tentativa de prolongar a marcha nestes pacientes. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão da literatura a fim de verificar o efeito do uso das órteses em relação ao prolongamento do tempo de marcha. Método: Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases PUBMED, PEDRO e SCIELO com as palavras-chave orthoses, bracing, gait, gait loss, ambulation, Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Resultados: Nos quatorze artigos selecionados foi identificada a prescrição das órteses do tipo KAFO (também chamadas de órteses longas) e AFO, sempre associada a outra intervenção terapêutica. A maioria dos estudos relatou que o uso do dispositivo prolonga o tempo de marcha. Conclusão: O uso da órtese, independentemente do tipo, prolonga a deambulação, pois retarda o avanço de encurtamentos. Assim, sugere-se o início precoce da AFO a fim de minimizar o prejuízo funcional característico da doença.
The walking ability of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy gradually decreases due to advancing weakness and muscle contracture. Lower limb orthoses are often prescribed in an attempt to prolong ambulation in these patients. Objective: To perform a literature review in order to verify the relationship between using orthoses and prolonging ambulation. Method: A literature review was performed in the PUBMED, PEDRO, and SCIELO databases with the keywords orthoses, bracing, gait, gait loss, ambulation, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Results: In 14 selected articles the prescription of knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFO) (also called long orthoses) and ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) was identified, always associated with another therapeutic intervention. Most studies have reported that the use of such a device prolongs ambulation. Conclusion: The use of orthoses, regardless of type, prolongs ambulation, because it delays the progress of muscle contracture. Thus, the early use of AFO is recommended in order to minimize the functional impairment characteristic of the disease.