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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2016; 74(07): 530-535
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20160085
ARTICLES

Relationship between muscle strength and motor function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Relação entre força muscular e função motora na distrofia muscular de Duchenne
Milene F. Nunes
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional, São Paulo SP, Brasil;
,
Michele E. Hukuda
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional, São Paulo SP, Brasil;
,
Francis M. Favero
2   Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
,
Acary B. Oliveira
2   Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
,
Mariana C. Voos
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional, São Paulo SP, Brasil;
,
Fátima A. Caromano
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional, São Paulo SP, Brasil;
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ABSTRACT

Measuring muscle strength and motor function is part of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) assessment. However, the relationship between these variables is controversial.

Objective To investigate the relationship between muscle strength and motor function and between these variables and age.

Method Muscle strength was measured by Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and motor function, by Motor Function Measure (MFM), in 40 non-ambulatory patients. Spearman tests investigated the relationships between muscle strength, motor function and age.

Results Total MRC and MFM scores were strongly related to each other (r = 0.94; p < 0.001), but not to age (r = -0.19, r = -0.31, respectively; p > 0.05). Strong and moderate relationships between partial muscle strength and motor function scores were found. Higher correlation coefficients were found between total scores and Dimensions 2 (axial/ proximal control) and 3 (distal control) of MFM.

Conclusion Muscle strength and motor function are strongly correlated and seem to decrease proportionally in DMD.

RESUMO

Mensurar força muscular e função motora é parte da avaliação em distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD). A relação entre essas variáveis é controversa.

Objetivo Investigar a relação entre força muscular, função motora e idade.

Método Força muscular foi medida pela Medical Research Council (MRC), e função motora pela escala Medida da Função Motora (MFM), em 40 pacientes cadeirantes. Teste de Spearman investigou as relações entre força muscular, função motora e idade.

Resultados O escore total da escala MRC e da MFM foram fortemente relacionados entre si (r = 0,94; p < 0,001), mas não com a idade (r = -0,19; r = -0,31, respectivamente; p > 0,05). Foram encontradas correlações fortes e moderadas entre os escores parciais de força muscular e função motora. As relações mais fortes ocorreram entre os escores totais, Dimensão 2 (controle axial/proximal) e 3 (controle distal) da escala MFM.

Conclusão Força muscular e função motora estão fortemente correlacionadas e parecem diminuir proporcionalmente na DMD.

muscular dystrophy, Duchenne - motor activity - motor skills - muscle strength - Statistics, Nonparametric
distrofia muscular de Duchenne - atividade motora - destreza motora - força muscular - estatísticas não paramétricas


Publication History

Received: 25 March 2015

Accepted: 05 May 2016

Article published online:
06 September 2023

© 2023. Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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