%0 Meta-Analysis
%T Effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions in people with muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
%A Leone E
%A Pandyan A
%A Rogers A
%A Kulshrestha R
%A Hill J
%A Philp F
%J J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
%V 95
%N 5
%D 2024 Apr 12
%M 38124127
%F 13.654
%R 10.1136/jnnp-2023-331988
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Management of muscular dystrophies (MD) relies on conservative non-pharmacological treatments, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and inconclusive.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To investigate the effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions for MD physical management.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>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.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>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).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>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.