Internationale Zeitschrift für Physikalische Medizin und Rehabilitation
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Upper Limb Training with Dynamic Arm Support in Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Feasibility Study

Merel Jansen, Jan Burgers, Michiel Jannink, Nens van Alfen and Imelda JM de Groot

Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) develop progressive loss of arm function. Regular moderate-intensity activities are recommended to prevent disuse atrophy, but conventional resistance exercises are often too strenuous. We conducted a feasibility study to investigate the feasibility and safety of upper limb training with dynamic arm support. Eight boys with DMD who were unable to lift their arms against gravity (age 12-20 years) performed reaching movements with their non-dominant arm for 24 weeks. Participants played a virtual reality computer game and performed activities of daily living while using dynamic arm support. The dominant (untrained) arm of each participant served as a reference. Six of the eight participants completed the entire training program without any adverse events. The trained arm retained more motor function than the untrained arm in 4/6 participants. The findings indicate that boys with DMD can safely train their arms with dynamic arm support.