Purpose:
In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the ankle limitation on the walking ability among two groups that have different spatial distribution of the weakness.
Methods:
In total, ...40 children at the levels 1-3 of the Brooke Lower Extremity Scale are included in this study. 20 of them have been diagnosed distal muscle weakness (mean ages: 12.9±3.3 year), and the other 20 have been proximal muscle weakness (mean ages: 9±3.1). The demographic information were recorded. Ankle joint limitation were measured with goniometer. Their ambulatory capacities were evaluated with the 6 minutes walk test (6MWT). Total walking distances in 6 minutes, strolls that taken, step counts, stride lengths, and cadences were saved.
Results:
There was not any significant difference between the groups with respect to the limitations in ankle joints’ movement and 6 minute total walking distance (p > 0.05). For the other 6MWT walking parametres, there was a statistically significant difference on the stride lengths in the test in favour of (to the good) the group with distal muscle weakness (p< 0.01). There was a negative correlation between the right (r=-0.579, p=0.01) and left (r=-0.445, p= 0.05) ankle dorsiflexion limitations and 6MWT results in the group with proximal muscle weakness.
Discussion:
The study showed the importance of the ankle joint motion on walking performance of the individuals beginning from early stages of their neuromuscular diseases (NMD), particularly on the walking performance of the children with muscular dystrophy with proximal muscle weakness.
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess lower extremity proprioception and investigate its relationship to activity and participation levels in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy ...(USCP).
A total of 22 children with USCP between the ages of 5 and 16 years participated in this study. Lower extremity proprioception was evaluated with a protocol that consisted of verbal and location identification, unilateral and contralateral limb matching, and static and dynamic balance tests performed with the impaired and less impaired lower extremities under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Furthermore, the Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) were used to evaluate the independence levels in daily living activities and participation levels.
Children demonstrated proprioceptive loss, as evidenced by an increase in matching errors under the eyes-closed condition compared to the eyes-open condition (p<0.05). Also, the impaired extremity had greater proprioceptive loss than the less impaired extremity (p<0.05). The 5–6-year age group experienced greater proprioceptive deficits than did the 7–11 and 12–16 age groups (p<0.05). Children's lower extremity proprioceptive deficit was moderately associated with their activity and participation levels (p<0.05).
Our findings suggest that treatment programs based on comprehensive assessments, including proprioception, may be more effective in these children.
This study was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire which assesses manual functions of children with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). ...A cross sectional survey study design and Rasch analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of scale. Ninety-three children with different neuromuscular disorders and their parents were included in the study. The scale was applied to the parents with face-to-face interview twice; on their first visit and after an interval of 15 days. The test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and internal consistency of the multi-item subscales by calculating Cronbach alpha values. Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Classification (BUEFC) and Wee-Functional Independency Measurement (Wee-FIM) were correlated to determine the construct validity. The ICC value for the test/retest reliability was 0.94. The internal consistency was 0.81. Floor (1.1%) and ceiling (11.8%) effects were not significant. There were moderate correlations between the Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids and Wee-FIM (0.67) and BUEFC (-0.37). Rasch analysis indicated good item fit, unidimensionality, and model fit. The Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire was found to be a reliable and valid scale for the assessment of the manual ability of children with NMDs.
To perform the Turkish translation, reliability, and validity study of the PedsQLTM-3.0 Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
This ...prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was held in Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation between January 2016-August 2018. Turkish translation of the PedsQL-MFS was conducted based on the steps addressed in the translation manual of the original research. The psychometric features of the Turkish version of PedsQL-MFS including feasibility, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, construct, and criterion-related validity as well as parent/child agreement were investigated on a total of 71 children and their parents.
The mean age of boys with DMD included in the study was 102.94+/-23.23 months with a mean 17.15+/-2.98 BMI. Internal consistencies of Child Self Report General Fatigue, Sleep/rest Fatigue, and Cognitive Fatigue items were 0.74, 0.65, and 0.83 while, 0.89, 0.84, and 0.91 in Parent Proxy Report. The ICC values of Child Self Report and Parent Proxy Report were 0.87 and 0.91, respectively. Parent Proxy Report succeded more acceptable fit indices than Child Self Report. A statistically significant correlation was found between PedsQL-MFS and PedsQL-Neuromuscular Module (p<0.05). Moderate agreement was detected between parent and child.
The Turkish version of PedsQL-MFS was determined to be a reliable and valid tool to evaluate fatigue in 5-12 years old, ambulant children with DMD.
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether trunk control is associated with the upper limb function of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Methods: The children ...included in the study were divided into two groups according to the Trunk Control Measurement Scale total scores. Twenty-five children whose trunk control levels were lower than 30.5 points were included in Group 1 while 31 children who had good levels of trunk control between 30.5 and 58 points were included in Group 2. General functional levels, muscular strength, and function of the upper limb were assessed and compared between the groups.
Results: According to the results of the assessments, children in Group 2 were found to have better upper limb function and muscular strength than Group 1 (p < .001).
Conclusions: The current study demonstrated better upper limb functional performance of children with DMD that had good-level trunk control thus suggesting the possible association between trunk stability and upper limb function. The results reveal the need to improve and protect trunk muscle strength and stability as well as upper limb strength, and to optimize trunk stability during upper limb movement in rehabilitation programs.
This study was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire which assesses manual functions of children with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). ...A cross sectional survey study design and Rasch analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of scale. Ninety-three children with different neuromuscular disorders and their parents were included in the study. The scale was applied to the parents with face-to-face interview twice; on their first visit and after an interval of 15 days. The test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and internal consistency of the multi-item subscales by calculating Cronbach alpha values. Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Classification (BUEFC) and Wee-Functional Independency Measurement (Wee-FIM) were correlated to determine the construct validity. The ICC value for the test/retest reliability was 0.94. The internal consistency was 0.81. Floor (1.1%) and ceiling (11.8%) effects were not significant. There were moderate correlations between the Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids and Wee-FIM (0.67) and BUEFC (−0.37). Rasch analysis indicated good item fit, unidimensionality, and model fit. The Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire was found to be a reliable and valid scale for the assessment of the manual ability of children with NMDs.
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