Effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions in people with muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Leone, Enza; Pandyan, Anand; Rogers, Alison; Kulshrestha, Richa; Hill, Jonathan; Philp, Fraser

Abstract

Management of muscular dystrophies (MD) relies on conservative non-pharmacological treatments, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and inconclusive. To investigate the effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions for MD physical management. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched Medline, CINHAL, Embase, AMED and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (inception to August 2022). Effect size (ES) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) quantified treatment effect. Of 31,285 identified articles, 39 studies (957 participants), mostly at high risk of bias, were included. For children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), trunk-oriented strength exercises and usual care were more effective than usual care alone in improving distal upper-limb function, sitting and dynamic reaching balance (ES range: 0.87 to 2.29). For adults with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), vibratory proprioceptive assistance and neuromuscular electrical stimulation respectively improved maximum voluntary isometric contraction and reduced pain intensity (ES range: 1.58 to 2.33). For adults with FSHD, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), strength-training improved dynamic balance (sit-to-stand ability) and self-perceived physical condition (ES range: 0.83 to 1.00). A multicomponent programme improved perceived exertion rate and gait in adults with Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) (ES range: 0.92 to 3.83). Low-quality evidence suggests that strength training, with or without other exercise interventions, may improve perceived exertion, distal upper limb function, static and dynamic balance, gait and well-being in MD. Although more robust and larger studies are needed, current evidence supports the inclusion of strength training in MD treatment, as it was found to be safe. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.]

Citation

Leone, E., Pandyan, A., Rogers, A., Kulshrestha, R., Hill, J., & Philp, F. (2023). Effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions in people with muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (JNNP), jnnp-2023-331988. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2023-331988

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 8, 2024
• Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
• Print ISSN: 0022-3050
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-330X
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: jnnp-2023-331988
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2023-331988
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/689110