Longitudinal community walking activity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 57; no. 3; pp. 401 - 406
• Main Authors: Fowler, Eileen G., Staudt, Loretta A., Heberer, Kent R., Sienko, Susan E., Buckon, Cathleen E., Bagley, Anita M., Sussman, Michael D., McDonald, Craig M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-03-2018
• Subjects: accelerometry; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical trials; Communities; community walking; Disease Progression; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Duchenne's muscular dystrophy; Dystrophy; Exercise; gait; Gait - physiology; Humans; Male; Medical research; Muscles; Muscular dystrophy; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne - physiopathology; natural history; Parameter sensitivity; physical activity; Walking; Walking - physiology; accelerometry; gait; natural history; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; community walking; physical activity
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.25743

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Natural history studies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have not included measures of community ambulation.
Methods
Step activity (SA) monitors quantified community ambulation in 42 boys (ages 4–16 years) with DMD with serial enrollment up to 5 years by using a repeated‐measures mixed model. Additionally, data were compared with 10‐meter walk/run (10mWR) speed to determine validity and sensitivity.
Results
There were significant declines in average strides/day and percent strides at moderate, high and pediatric high rates as a function of age (P < 0.05). Significant correlations for 10mWR versus high and low stride rates were found at baseline (P < 0.05). SA outcomes were sensitive to change over 1 year, but the direction and parameter differed by age group (younger vs. older). Changes in strides/day and percentages of high frequency and low frequency strides correlated significantly with changes in 10mWR speed (P < 0.05).
Discussion
Community ambulation data provide valid and sensitive real‐world measures that may inform clinical trials. Muscle Nerve 57: 401–406, 2018