Pragmatic Neurorehabilitation Approach for Improving Quality of Life in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Case Report

TL;DR

This case report shows how physiotherapy can improve quality of life for a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Contribution

The study demonstrates a six-week physiotherapy program's effectiveness in managing DMD symptoms and improving patient outcomes.

Findings

The patient showed significant improvement in outcome measures after six weeks of physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy strategies included diet management, stretching, splinting, and pulmonary training.

Multidisciplinary care is crucial for managing DMD symptoms and complications.

Abstract

This case report provides insights into the physiotherapy management of a 12-year-old male with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a devastating genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Skeletal muscle degeneration is induced by a genetic disorder. It is a common X-linked condition that causes hypertrophy of the calves and proximal muscular weakness in children. It frequently results in early mortality, wheelchair confinement, and delays in motor development. Physiotherapy interventions aim to optimize functional abilities and quality of life in individuals with DMD. This case report highlights the effectiveness of physiotherapy in managing DMD progression. This study presents a case exhibiting notable clinical symptoms, highlighting the urgency for advanced treatments to combat this debilitating disease. Outcome measures such as body mass index, spirometry, manual muscle testing, and the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life scale are used to report patient progress. The treatment plan was carried out for six weeks, five times a week. Physiotherapy strategies include diet management, stretching and splinting techniques, and pulmonary training. While current treatments focus on symptom management, ongoing research holds promise for the development of more effective therapies to improve outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals. Multidisciplinary care, including neurophysiotherapy rehabilitation, plays a crucial role in managing the symptoms and complications of DMD, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive support for patients and their families. At the end of our rehabilitation, the patient showed significant improvement in the outcome measures.

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