Muscular dystrophy, motor intervention, physical therapy, pediatrics, scoping review.
Muscular dystrophy, motor intervention, physical therapy, pediatrics, scoping review.
Introduction: The treatment of neuromuscular diseases has changed in recent years, from palliative management of symptoms to preventive methods of training focusing on functionality, participation, and activity. The importance of physical exercise in the quality of life of children and young people with muscular dystrophy (MD) is well known, but there are still gaps in knowledge about the types of exercise, intensity, frequency, duration, and effects that can guide interventions. Despite the therapeutic developments in rehabilitation, there is a lack of clinical trials and systematic reviews focusing on motor interventions in the population with muscular dystrophy, hindering the development of research and guidelines that can assist in decision-making and clinical practice. Objective: To identify studies on motor intervention and to characterize the approaches carried out in children and young people with muscular dystrophies. Methodology: The elaboration of the scoping review followed the guidelines of The Joanna Briggs Institute according to the following structure: (1) identification of the research question; (2) inclusion criteria; (3) identification of relevant studies; (4) study selection; (5) data mapping; and (6) comparison, summary, and reporting of results. To ensure inter-rater reliability, 20% of the sample was independently reviewed and compared by the two researchers. Results: 11,009 abstracts were found in the databases; 416 were duplicates; and 22 were eligible for full-text review. Twelve studies were included in the review. In total, 308 children and young people participated in all the included studies. The age of the participants ranged between 4 and 14 years. Different protocols with different intervention focuses were found among the modalities. The most discussed outcomes were muscle strength, muscle function, endurance, gait, and functional skills. 40.37% of the instruments used focused on functional tests. Conclusion: Considerable variability was observed in the analyzed outcomes and motor interventions applied to children and adolescents with MD. Clinical evidence on the types of exercise in muscular dystrophies is still limited and heterogeneous and does not allow a consensus on the effects of physical exercise in this clinical condition. However, there is a lack of studies that focus on the quality of life, participation, and independence of this population.