Prognosis in the Functional Status of Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with Physiotherapy and Yoga Exercise Protocols – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Context: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease leading to destruction of the skeletal muscles, causing limitations in the activities of daily living, and ambulation at a later stage. Aims: The present study intended to identify the effect of add-on yoga with physiotherapy intervention compared to physiotherapy exercise program on the functional status of children with DMD. Settings and Design: A randomized controlled study was conducted at the physiotherapy center of a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: The study recruited 124 boys diagnosed with DMD who were randomly divided into two groups. Group I received home-based physiotherapy exercise program and was advised to perform twice daily for all days of the week. Group II was advised to perform physiotherapy and yoga at home. Functional status of the participants was assessed using muscular dystrophy functional rating scale (MDFRS) and timed functional test (TFT), taken at baseline, and on regular intervals of 3 months, up to 1 year. Statistical Analysis Used: Repeated measures ANOVA, Fisher's least significant difference analysis, and t-test analysis were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Eighty-eight participants completed the entire study with 45 in Group I and 43 in Group II. Significant time effect was demonstrated in both the groups for MDFRS (P < 0.05) and TFT (P < 0.01) measures, demonstrating beneficial effects of treatment protocols of both groups. Conclusions: The study identified that the combined yoga and physiotherapy interventions were as effective as physiotherapy alone.