Association Between Muscle Fascicle Length Changes And Functional Performance in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Muscle tissue gradually deteriorates in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a hereditary genetic disorder that causes functional impairment and early mortality. Children with DMD typically develop pseudohypertrophy of the calf muscle and struggle to run, jump, or climb stairs. Their functional performance abilities are impacted by their frequent falls. The study objective was to look at the relations between functional performance and alterations in the gastrocnemius muscle's fascicle length in DMD children.

Methods: Twenty-six ambulant DMD children who were between the ages of six and twelve and did not have pulmonary or cardiac conditions participated in cross-sectional observational research. Fascicle length was measured using ultrasound imaging and motor function (MF) was assessed utilizing MFM-32 scale to gage these kids' functional performance.

 Results: The study's findings demonstrated that fascicle length and MF ability had no significant relationship (P>0.05) (r=0.039; P=0.850). This insignificant relationship indicates that in children with DMD, changes in fascicle length are inconsistent with changes in MF measurements.

Conclusion: this study demonstrated that in ambulant children with DMD, changes in muscle fascicle length don't directly correspond to changes in functional performance.