Effect of Physical Therapy and Yoga on Quality of Life in Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – A Randomised Comparative Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives Quality of life QOL of the individuals suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy DMD was found to be reduced due to the chronicity and progressive nature of the illness and the intensity of disability. We intended to identify whether physical therapy and yoga intervention has an effect on the QOL in patients with DMD.Methods Patients diagnosed with DMD in the age group of five to ten years were randomly allocated to two groups. Group 1 was managed with two sessions of physical therapy whereas group 2 received one session of yoga and physical therapy. Quality of life status was measured using Pediatric quality of life PedsQL neuromuscular module. Intervention was continued for a period of one year as a home based program with assessments done during the first visit and at every three months till one year.Results Homogeneity was maintained between the groups with regard to the age p0.578 and duration of the disease p0.312. There was a significant time effect in group I for lsquoMy neuromuscular diseasersquo sub-score and the total score whereas group II demonstrated significant time effect for lsquoMy neuromuscular diseasersquo subscore alone p lt0.05. A reduction in scores was observed for communication family resources and total score in group II demonstrating a negative effect.Conclusion Two physiotherapy sessions in a day are beneficial in improving the quality of life status in patients with DMD. Yoga was also an acceptable way of treatment in children with DMD as the caretakers participated in the sessions along with them.nbsp