Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy in Children With Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy in childhood caused by a mutation of the DMD gene. Progressive muscle weakness is the main symptom, as muscle fiber degeneration is the primary pathological process.

Weakness selectively affects the proximal before the distal limb muscles and the lower before the upper limbs. The affected child therefore has difficulty running, jumping, and walking up steps.

Although there is currently no treatment method that eliminates the disease, exercise practices significantly improve the quality of life of children.

There are not enough studies in the literature evaluating whether the addition of aquatic therapy to conventional physical therapy helps to improve balance skills, functionality and quality of life in children with muscular dystrophy.

The purpose of this study is ; to evaluate the effects of aquatic therapy applied in addition to conventional physical therapy on balance, functionality and quality of life in children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Our study will include children aged 5-18 years and complete a 10 -m walk without assistance/support who are diagnosed with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy by a neurologist and followed up in the Muscular Diseases Unit of Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital In follow-ups, patients who are planned to receive aquatic therapy will be listed according to their application dates.

In addition to the exercises home programme, patients at the top of the list will receive aquatic treatment 3 days a week for a total of 5 weeks with a physiotherapist.

Patients at the bottom of the list will form the control group and will receive home programme exercise while waiting in line for aquatic therapy After 5 weeks, the initial assessments will be repeated and recorded

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or Becker Muscular Dystrophy by a neurologist
• Between the ages of 5-18, with ongoing ambulation
• Co-operating with the physiotherapist's practices

Exclusion criteria

• Those who will not be able to perform the evaluation parameters
• Have a serious systemic disease that may interfere with exercise
• Injury and/or surgery in the last 6 months
• Receive gene therapy
• In the presence of contraindications to aquatic therapy such as excessive fear of water, behavioral problems, shortness of breath at rest, infection, incontinence, known chlorine allergy, open wound, acute systemic disease, epilepsy, tracheotomy, permanent drain, immunodeficiency