Muscular Dystrophies (MD) are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterised by muscle wasting that lead to progressive loss of function. Although exercise training has been traditionally neglected to these patients due to concerns regarding muscle damage, research has shown that exercise therapy is safe and tolerable in this population and can lead to potential gains in endurance and muscle strength, as well as other patient-reported outcomes such as health-related quality of life.Therefore, in this study, the investigators aim to examine the feasibility, tolerability and safety as well as the effects of a 12-week, exercise-training program in patients with MD on functional capacity, muscle strength, and health-related quality of life.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
38
12-week exercise training program including a combination of endurance and resistance training for 45 minutes, twice a week.
Hospital Clinic de Barcelona
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Timed Up and Go
Time consumed by the patient to raise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn 180º, walk 3 metres back and sit down on the chair
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Short Physical Performance Battery
Score in this test is derived from three assessments: balance, gait speed and lower limb muscle performance
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Upper Body Muscle Strength
Muscle strength of the biceps brachii will be assessed with a hand-held dynamometer
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Lower Body Muscle Strength
Muscle strength of the quadriceps will be assessed with a hand-held dynamometer
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Handgrip Strength
Handgrip strength will be assessed with a hydraulic dynamometer.
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Health-Related Quality of Life
HRQoL will be measured with the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). The score of the scale goes from 0 - 100, with higher scores representing better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Body Weight
Body weight (kg)
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Body Mass Index
Body weight and height will be combined to report the results on body mass index (kg/m2)
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Percentage of fat-free mass
Percentage of fat-free mass will be obtained through bio-impedance analysis
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Percentage of fat mass
Percentage of fat mass will be obtained through bio-impedance analysis
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Fatigue
Fatigue will be quantified with the Brief Fatigue Inventory. The scale has 9 items with a maximal score of 10 points. Higher scores represent heavier fatigue.
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Respiratory Muscle Strength
Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Muscle Strength will be measured according to international guidelines (ATS/ERS) with a MicroRPM.
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
Physical Activity Levels
Accelerometry-assessment of physical activity will be measured in terms of steps per day and minutes spent in light, moderate and vigorous physical activity
Time frame: 1 week post-intervention
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