A scoping review of the contralateral effects of unilateral peripheral stimulation on neuromuscular function.

It is known that resistance exercise using one limb can affect motor function of both the exercised limb and the unexercised contralateral limb, a phenomenon termed cross-education. It has been suggested that cross-education has clinical implications, e.g. in rehabilitation for orthopaedic conditions or post-stroke paresis. Much of the research on the contralateral effect of unilateral intervention on motor output is based on voluntary exercise. This scoping review aimed to map the characteristics of current literature on the cross-education caused by three most frequently utilised peripheral neuromuscular stimulation modalities in this context: electrical stimulation, mechanical vibration and percutaneous needling, that may direct future research and translate to clinical practice. A systematic search of relevant databases (Ebsco, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) through to the end of 2020 was conducted following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review. Empirical studies on human participants that applied a unilateral peripheral neuromuscular stimulation and assessed neuromuscular function of the stimulated and/or the unstimulated side were selected. By reading the full text, the demographic characteristics, context, design, methods and major findings of the studies were synthesised. The results found that 83 studies were eligible for the review, with the majority (53) utilised electrical stimulation whilst those applied vibration (18) or needling (12) were emerging. Although the contralateral effects appeared to be robust, only 31 studies claimed to be in the context of cross-education, and 25 investigated on clinical patients. The underlying mechanism for the contralateral effects induced by unilateral peripheral stimulation remains unclear. The findings suggest a need to enhance the awareness of cross-education caused by peripheral stimulation, to help improve the translation of theoretical concepts to clinical practice, and aid in developing well-designed clinical trials to determine the efficacy of cross-education therapies.

Does respiratory muscle training improve respiratory function compared to sham training, no training, standard treatment or breathing exercises in children and adults with neuromuscular disease? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary.

BACKGROUND: Progressive muscle weakness is a feature of neuromuscular diseases (NMDs), a heterogeneous group of conditions with variable onset, presentation and prognosis that affect both children and adults. Respiratory muscle weakness compromises respiratory function and may lead to respiratory failure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in adults and children with NMD. METHODS: A Cochrane Review by Silva et al. was summarized with comments. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving 250 randomized participants with NMD were included. While the studies showed that RMT may lead to improvements in lung function and respiratory muscle strength in people with ALS and DMD, this was not a consistent finding. The evidence from all the included trials was of low or very low certainty. CONCLUSIONS: There may be some improvement in lung capacity and respiratory muscle strength following RMT in some NMD. There appears to be no clinically meaningful effect of RMT on physical functioning and quality of life in ALS. The low certainty of the evidence means that the results need to be interpreted with caution.

Growth and nutrition in pediatric neuromuscular disorders.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is currently known about the nutrition and growth outcomes in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), and these are likely disease dependent. The aim of this study was to describe the range of nutritional issues in pediatric NMDs and identify similarities and differences in growth outcomes and nutritional needs in children with a variety of NMDs at different ages, with the goal of informing future services. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we collected data on growth, dietetic interventions and nutrition-related issues in 160 children who attended a multidisciplinary clinic in a tertiary children's hospital, from February to December 2019. Children with significant weakness affecting mobility before the age of 3 years were clinically grouped into 'early-onset NMDs'. RESULTS: Across our clinic, 42.5% children had a history of chronic gastrointestinal issues, and 34.4% received dietetic care on the day of clinical visit. Children with early-onset NMDs had significantly higher prevalence of swallowing issues, gastroesophageal reflux, and vomiting, as well as higher frequency of dietetic consultations, high energy diet, swallowing assessment and tube-feeding, compared to later-onset NMDs (p < 0.05). In total, 49.2% children with NMDs had an abnormal weight, in which the prevalence of underweight (n = 24, 19.2%) was significantly higher compared to normal Australian children (8.2%) (p < 0.05). In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, over 50% children were overweight/obese. CONCLUSION: Among children with NMDs, there were many disease-specific nutrition-related symptoms, growth issues, and dietetic practices that were tailored to individual needs. Future studies should focus on measuring the impact of specific dietetic practices on growth and nutritional outcomes, as well as developing a precision medicine approach tailored to the individual nutritional needs of children with NMDs.

Development and evaluation of a novel music-based therapeutic device for upper extremity movement training: A pre-clinical, single-arm trial.

Restoration of upper limb motor function and patient functional independence are crucial treatment targets in neurological rehabilitation. Growing evidence indicates that music-based intervention is a promising therapeutic approach for the restoration of upper extremity functional abilities in neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and Parkinson's Disease. In this context, music technology may be particularly useful to increase the availability and accessibility of music-based therapy and assist therapists in the implementation and assessment of targeted therapeutic goals. In the present study, we conducted a pre-clinical, single-arm trial to evaluate a novel music-based therapeutic device (SONATA) for upper limb extremity movement training. The device consists of a graphical user interface generated by a single-board computer displayed on a 32" touchscreen with built-in speakers controlled wirelessly by a computer tablet. The system includes two operational modes that allow users to play musical melodies on a virtual keyboard or draw figures/shapes whereby every action input results in controllable sensory feedback. Four motor tasks involving hand/finger movement were performed with 21 healthy individuals (13 males, aged 26.4 ± 3.5 years) to evaluate the device's operational modes and main features. The results of the functional tests suggest that the device is a reliable system to present pre-defined sequences of audiovisual stimuli and shapes and to record response and movement data. This preliminary study also suggests that the device is feasible and adequate for use with healthy individuals. These findings open new avenues for future clinical research to further investigate the feasibility and usability of the SONATA as a tool for upper extremity motor function training in neurological rehabilitation. Directions for future clinical research are discussed.

Taste disorder in facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Taste disorder is a common symptom in the general population. Several studies have shown that patients with neurological disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, develop taste disturbance. Facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN) is a rare disease characterized by sensory disturbance and weakness spreading from the face to the limbs caudally. We describe a patient with FOSMN who showed taste disorder as the sole initial symptom. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old man who smoked cigarettes developed taste disturbance. Despite using zinc supplements, an herbal medication, and an ointment, his taste disorder worsened. 4 years later, a tingling feeling emerged at the tip of his tongue and gradually spread to his entire lips. At 55 years of age, he showed difficulty in swallowing, followed by facial paresthesia, muscle atrophy, and weakness in the face and upper limbs without apparent upper motor neuron sign. Cessation of smoking did not improve his taste disturbance, and he was unable to discriminate different tastes on the entire tongue. In an electrogustometric study, electrical stimulation did not induce any type of taste sensation. Blink reflex showed delayed or diminished R2 responses. Needle electromyography revealed severe chronic neurogenic changes in the tongue and masseter muscles. Mild chronic neurogenic changes were also observed in the limbs. In the thoracic paraspinal muscles, active neurogenic changes were detected. Findings of hematological and cerebrospinal fluid analyses, and magnetic resonance images of the brain and spinal cord were unremarkable. One cycle of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy did not improve his symptoms. We diagnosed him as having FOSMN with the sole initial symptom of taste disorder. Nine years after the onset of taste disorder, he developed impaired sensation of touch in the right upper limb and required tube feeding and ventilator support. CONCLUSION: Taste disorder can be the initial manifestation of FOSMN and might involve the solitary nucleus.

On-chip 3D neuromuscular model for drug screening and precision medicine in neuromuscular disease.

This protocol describes the design, fabrication and use of a 3D physiological and pathophysiological motor unit model consisting of motor neurons coupled to skeletal muscles interacting via the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) within a microfluidic device. This model facilitates imaging and quantitative functional assessment. The 'NMJ chip' enables real-time, live imaging of axonal outgrowth, NMJ formation and muscle maturation, as well as synchronization of motor neuron activity and muscle contraction under optogenetic control for the study of normal physiological events. The proposed protocol takes ~2-3 months to be implemented. Pathological behaviors associated with various neuromuscular diseases, such as regression of motor neuron axons, motor neuron death, and muscle degradation and atrophy can also be recapitulated in this system. Disease models can be created by the use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells to generate both the motor neurons and skeletal muscle cells used. This is demonstrated by the use of cells from a patient with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but can be applied more generally to models of neuromuscular disease, such as spinal muscular atrophy, NMJ disorder and muscular dystrophy. Models such as this hold considerable potential for applications in precision medicine, drug screening and disease risk assessment.

Potential therapeutic implications of ergogenic compounds on pathophysiology induced by traumatic brain injury: A narrative review.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating condition that often triggers a sequel of neurological disorders that can last throughout lifespan. From a metabolic viewpoint, the compromising of the energy metabolism of the brain has produced evidence linking the severity of brain injury to the extent of disturbances in the cerebral metabolism. The cerebral metabolic crisis, however, displays that regional heterogeneity varies temporally post-injury. It is important to note that energy generation and mitochondrial function are closely related and interconnected with delayed secondary manifestations of brain injury, including early neuromotor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Given the extent of post-traumatic changes in neuronal function and the possibility of amplifying secondary cascades, different therapies designed to minimize damage and retain/restore cellular function after TBI are currently being studied. One of the possible strategies may be the inclusion of ergogenic compounds, which is a class of supplements that typically includes ingredients used by athletes to enhance their performance. The combination of these compounds offers specific physiological advantages, which include enhanced energy availability/metabolism and improved buffering capacity. However, the literature on their effects in certain biological systems and neurological diseases, such as TBI, has yet to be determined. Thus, the present review aims to discuss the role of ergogenic compounds popularly used in secondary damage induced by this neurological injury. In this narrative review, we also discuss how the results from animal studies can be applied to TBI clinical settings.

Successful Improvement of Pain Symptomatology in a Suspected Case of Cramp-Fasciculation Syndrome via Interventional Pain Treatment.

Peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH) syndromes are a rare set of neuromuscular disorders that include cramp-fasciculation syndrome (CFS) and Isaacs syndrome (IS). Successful treatment of these diseases has been achieved with antiepileptic medications; however, chronic pain symptoms can persist. We provide a case report of a 25-year-old female who has suffered from painful severe muscle spasms and fasciculations since childhood. With CFS as our working diagnosis, a treatment regimen using interventional pain techniques, including sympathetic chain blocks, ketamine infusions, and trigger point injections, resulted in a significant decrease in the patient's chronic pain symptoms. This case offers a novel application of interventional pain procedures and may help further our understanding of PNH syndromes.

Work-related acute physical injuries, chronic overuse complaints, and the psychosocial work environment in Danish primary care chiropractic practice - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Little is known about the physical and psychosocial work environment of chiropractors and their work-related health complaints, and this has never been described for Danish chiropractors. The aim of this study was, therefore, to describe work-related acute physical injuries, overuse complaints, and psychosocial stress in Danish chiropractic work settings. Methods: We developed a questionnaire specifically for this study and distributed it electronically in August 2016 using SurveyXact to all 575 members of the Danish Chiropractors' Association working in primary care clinics. Chiropractors were asked about their work-related acute physical injuries and overuse complaints as well as any psychosocial stress they experienced at work during the previous year. We described our sample and variables using means, medians, ranges, and confidence intervals where appropriate. Statistically significant differences between genders, types of complaints and injuries, and between clinic owners and associates were examined using Chi-square and Fischer's exact tests, where appropriate, or by examining confidence intervals for non-overlap. Results: 355 (65.2%) chiropractors answered the survey. Of these, 216 (61%, 95% CI 56-66) had experienced a work-related acute physical injury and/or overuse complaint during the previous year. Work-related overuse complaints were most commonly reported in the low back, wrist, thumb, and shoulder, and were more common among women (63%, 95% CI 56-70) than men (51%, 95% CI 43-59). Chiropractors with more than five years in practice (59%, 95% CI 52-64) reported significantly fewer work-related acute injuries and overuse complaints during the previous year compared with chiropractors with less than five years in practice (83%, 95% CI 73-91). In general, these practicing Danish chiropractors reported having a good psychosocial work environment, and 90% of chiropractors "always" or "often" felt that they were motivated and committed to their work. Conclusion: This sample of Danish practicing chiropractors commonly reported work-related acute physical injuries or overuse complaints. Overuse complaints were most commonly reported in the low back, wrist, thumb, and shoulder and were more common among women than men. Newly educated chiropractors reported more overuse complaints than experienced chiropractors. Collectively, this sample of Danish chiropractors reported that they had a good psychosocial work environment.

Clinical Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Neuromuscular Rehabilitation: What Are We Overlooking?

The clinical success of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for neuromuscular rehabilitation is greatly compromised by the poor consideration of different physiological and methodological issues that are not always obvious to the clinicians. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review is to reexamine some of these fundamental aspects of NMES using a tripartite model perspective. First, we contend that NMES does not actually bypass the central nervous system but results in a multitude of neurally mediated responses that contribute substantially to force generation and may engender neural adaptations. Second, we argue that too much emphasis is generally placed on externally controllable stimulation parameters while the major determinant of NMES effectiveness is the intrinsically determined muscle tension generated by the current (ie, evoked force). Third, we believe that a more systematic approach to NMES therapy is required in the clinic and this implies a better identification of the patient-specific impairment and of the potential "responders" to NMES therapy. On the basis of these considerations, we suggest that the crucial steps to ensure the clinical effectiveness of NMES treatment should consist of (1) identifying the neuromuscular impairment with clinical assessment and (2) implementing algorithm-based NMES therapy while (3) properly dosing the treatment with tension-controlled NMES and eventually amplifying its neural effects.

Low-Frequency Pulsed Current Versus Kilohertz-Frequency Alternating Current: A Scoping Literature Review.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of low-frequency pulsed current versus kilohertz-frequency alternating current in terms of evoked force, discomfort level, current intensity, and muscle fatigability; to discuss the physiological mechanisms of each neuromuscular electrical stimulation type; and to determine if kilohertz-frequency alternating current is better than low-frequency pulsed current for clinical treatment. DATA SOURCES: Articles were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and SPORTSDiscus databases using the terms Russian current or kilohertz current or alternating current or pulsed current or Aussie current and torque or discomfort or fatigue or current intensity, and through citation tracking up to July 2017. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers selected studies comparing the use of the 2 neuromuscular electrical stimulation currents. Studies describing maximal current intensity tolerated and the main effects of the 2 different current types on discomfort, muscle force, and fatigability were independently reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were systematized according to (1) methodology; (2) electrical current characteristics; and (3) outcomes on discomfort level, evoked force, current intensity, and muscle fatigability. DATA SYNTHESIS: The search revealed 15 articles comparing the 2 current types. Kilohertz-frequency alternated current generated equal or less force, similar discomfort, similar current intensity for maximal tolerated neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and more fatigue compared with low-frequency pulsed current. Similar submaximal levels of evoked force revealed higher discomfort and current intensity for kilohertz-frequency alternated current compared with low-frequency pulsed current. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence does not support the idea that kilohertz-frequency alternated current is better than low-frequency pulsed current for strength training and rehabilitation.

Role of noninvasive ventilation in perioperative patients with neuromuscular disease: a clinical case / Papel da ventilação não invasiva no período perioperatório de doentes com patologia neuromuscular: caso clínico

The inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory myopathy that leads to chronic muscle inflammation associated with muscle weakness. It is characterized by a restrictive ventilatory syndrome requiring ventilatory support under non-invasive ventilation. The authors describe a clinical case and the anaesthetic management of a patient with inclusion body myopathy candidate for vertebroplasty, which highlights the importance of locoregional anaesthesia and of noninvasive ventilation and includes assisted cough techniques, maintained throughout the perioperative period.

A miosite por corpos de inclusão é uma miopatia inflamatória que cursa com inflamação crônica muscular associada à fraqueza muscular. Caracteriza-se por uma síndrome ventilatória restritiva com necessidade de suporte ventilatório sob ventilação não invasiva. Os autores descrevem caso clínico e respectivo manuseio anestésico de paciente com miopatia por corpos de inclusão proposta para vertebroplastia que realça a importância da anestesia locorregional e da ventilação não invasiva e inclui as técnicas de tosse assistida, mantidas durante todo o período perioperatório.

Role of noninvasive ventilation in perioperative patients with neuromuscular disease: a clinical case.

The inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory myopathy that leads to chronic muscle inflammation associated with muscle weakness. It is characterized by a restrictive ventilatory syndrome requiring ventilatory support under non-invasive ventilation. The authors describe a clinical case and the anaesthetic management of a patient with inclusion body myopathy candidate for vertebroplasty, which highlights the importance of locoregional anaesthesia and of noninvasive ventilation and includes assisted cough techniques, maintained throughout the perioperative period.

Effects of home-based respiratory muscle training in children and adolescents with chronic lung disease / Efeitos do treinamento muscular respiratório domiciliar em crianças e adolescentes com doença pulmonar crônica

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory muscle weakness is a functional repercussion of chronic lung disease (CLD). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of home-based respiratory muscle training (RMT) in children and adolescents with CLD or neuromuscular disease (NMD). METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study involving children and adolescents with CLD or NMD. Before and after 6 months of home-based RMT, we measured respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP), PEF, and peak cough flow (PCF). We made statistical comparisons between the pre-RMT and post-RMT values, as well as evaluating the correlation between the duration and effect of RMT. RESULTS: The study included 29 patients, with a mean age of 12 years (range, 5-17 years), of whom 18 (62.1%) were male. The CLD group comprised 11 patients (37.9%), and the NMD group comprised 18 (62.1%). The mean duration of the RMT was 60 weeks (range, 46-90 weeks) in the CLD group and 39 weeks (range, 24-89 weeks) in the NMD group. In comparison with the pre-RMT values, the post-RMT values for MIP and MEP were significantly higher in both groups, whereas those for PEF and PCF were significantly higher only in the NMD group. We found no correlation between the duration and the effect of RMT. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based RMT appears to be an effective strategy for increasing respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents with CLD or NMD, although it increased the ability to cough effectively only in those with NMD. .

OBJETIVO: A fraqueza muscular respiratória é uma repercussão funcional da doença pulmonar crônica (DPC). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do treinamento muscular respiratório (TMR) domiciliar em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou doença neuromuscular (DNM). MÉTODOS: Estudo quasi-experimental com crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM. Foram medidos a força muscular respiratória (PEmáx e PImáx) e o pico de fluxo da tosse (PFT) antes e depois de 6 meses de TMR domiciliar. Foram realizadas comparações estatísticas entre valores pré- e pós-TMR e foram avaliadas as correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 29 pacientes, com média de idade de 12 anos (variação, 5-17 anos), dos quais 18 (62,1%) eram meninos. O grupo DPC consistiu em 11 pacientes (37,9%) e o grupo DNM, em 18 (62,1%). A média da duração do TMR foi de 60 semanas (variação, 46-90 semanas) no grupo DPC e de 39 semanas (variação, 24-89 semanas) no grupo DNM. Em comparação com os valores pré-TMR, os valores pós-TMR para PImáx e PEmáx foram significativamente maiores nos dois grupos, enquanto aqueles para PFE e PFT foram significativamente maiores apenas no grupo DNM. Não houve correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. CONCLUSÕES: O TMR domiciliar parece ser uma estratégia eficaz para o aumento da força muscular respiratória em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM, embora aumente efetivamente a capacidade de tosse somente naqueles com DNM. .

Time course of central and peripheral alterations after isometric neuromuscular electrical stimulation-induced muscle damage.

Isometric contractions induced by neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) have been shown to result in a prolonged force decrease but the time course of the potential central and peripheral factors have never been investigated. This study examined the specific time course of central and peripheral factors after isometric NMES-induced muscle damage. Twenty-five young healthy men were subjected to an NMES exercise consisting of 40 contractions for both legs. Changes in maximal voluntary contraction force of the knee extensors (MVC), peak evoked force during double stimulations at 10 Hz (Db(10)) and 100 Hz (Db(100)), its ratio (10:100), voluntary activation, muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity were assessed before, immediately after and throughout four days after NMES session. Changes in knee extensors volume and T2 relaxation time were also assessed at two (D2) and four (D4) days post-exercise. MVC decreased by 29% immediately after NMES session and was still 19% lower than the baseline value at D4. The decrease in Db(10) was higher than in Db(100) immediately and one day post-exercise resulting in a decrease (-12%) in the 10:100 ratio. On the contrary, voluntary activation significantly decreased at D2 (-5%) and was still depressed at D4 (-5%). Muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity increased after NMES and peaked at D2 and D4, respectively. T2 was also increased at D2 (6%) and D4 (9%). Additionally, changes in MVC and peripheral factors (e.g., Db(100)) were correlated on the full recovery period, while a significant correlation was found between changes in MVC and VA only from D2 to D4. The decrease in MVC recorded immediately after the NMES session was mainly due to peripheral changes while both central and peripheral contributions were involved in the prolonged force reduction. Interestingly, the chronological events differ from what has been reported so far for voluntary exercise-induced muscle damage.

Effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled double-blinded study. SETTING: Chest diseases clinic of university hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease followed for respiratory problems were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; experimental (n = 14; age 31.6 ±12.3 years) and sham (n = 12; age 26.5 ±8.6 years) groups. METHODS: Spirometry, peak cough flow, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure were measured before the eighth week of study, and subsequently at end of it. Respiratory muscle training was performed by inspiratory (Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer) and expiratory (Threshold Positive Expiratory Pressure) threshold loading methods. Training intensities were increased according to maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures in the experimental group, while the lowest loads were used for training in the sham group. Patients performed 15 minutes inspiratory muscle training and 15 minutes expiratory muscle training, twice a day, five days/week, for a total of eight weeks at home. Training intensity was adjusted in the training group once a week. RESULTS: Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (cmH2O, % predicted) (respectively p = 0.002, p = 0.003, p = 0.04, p = 0.03) and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (p = 0.04) were improved in the experimental group when compared with the sham group. However, there was no improvement in spirometric measurements when groups were compared (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion of our study, we found that respiratory muscle strength improved by inspiratory and expiratory muscle training in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease.

Effects of home-based respiratory muscle training in children and adolescents with chronic lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory muscle weakness is a functional repercussion of chronic lung disease (CLD). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of home-based respiratory muscle training (RMT) in children and adolescents with CLD or neuromuscular disease (NMD). METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study involving children and adolescents with CLD or NMD. Before and after 6 months of home-based RMT, we measured respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP), PEF, and peak cough flow (PCF). We made statistical comparisons between the pre-RMT and post-RMT values, as well as evaluating the correlation between the duration and effect of RMT. RESULTS: The study included 29 patients, with a mean age of 12 years (range, 5-17 years), of whom 18 (62.1%) were male. The CLD group comprised 11 patients (37.9%), and the NMD group comprised 18 (62.1%). The mean duration of the RMT was 60 weeks (range, 46-90 weeks) in the CLD group and 39 weeks (range, 24-89 weeks) in the NMD group. In comparison with the pre-RMT values, the post-RMT values for MIP and MEP were significantly higher in both groups, whereas those for PEF and PCF were significantly higher only in the NMD group. We found no correlation between the duration and the effect of RMT. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based RMT appears to be an effective strategy for increasing respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents with CLD or NMD, although it increased the ability to cough effectively only in those with NMD.

OBJETIVO: A fraqueza muscular respiratória é uma repercussão funcional da doença pulmonar crônica (DPC). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do treinamento muscular respiratório (TMR) domiciliar em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou doença neuromuscular (DNM). MÉTODOS: Estudo quasi-experimental com crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM. Foram medidos a força muscular respiratória (PEmáx e PImáx) e o pico de fluxo da tosse (PFT) antes e depois de 6 meses de TMR domiciliar. Foram realizadas comparações estatísticas entre valores pré- e pós-TMR e foram avaliadas as correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 29 pacientes, com média de idade de 12 anos (variação, 5-17 anos), dos quais 18 (62,1%) eram meninos. O grupo DPC consistiu em 11 pacientes (37,9%) e o grupo DNM, em 18 (62,1%). A média da duração do TMR foi de 60 semanas (variação, 46-90 semanas) no grupo DPC e de 39 semanas (variação, 24-89 semanas) no grupo DNM. Em comparação com os valores pré-TMR, os valores pós-TMR para PImáx e PEmáx foram significativamente maiores nos dois grupos, enquanto aqueles para PFE e PFT foram significativamente maiores apenas no grupo DNM. Não houve correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. CONCLUSÕES: O TMR domiciliar parece ser uma estratégia eficaz para o aumento da força muscular respiratória em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM, embora aumente efetivamente a capacidade de tosse somente naqueles com DNM.

Rehabilitación respiratoria en el paciente neuromuscular: efectos sobre la tolerancia al ejercicio y musculatura respiratoria: resultado de una serie de casos / Respiratory rehabilitation in neuromuscular patients: effects on exercise tolerance and respiratory muscles

Background: The pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has acquired an important role in neuromuscular patient treatment. The aim was to investigate the effects of PR program on 6-minute walking test variables (6MWT) and respiratory muscle function (RMF) in patients with neuromuscular disease. Patients and Methods: In the study were included 13 patients, age 12.5 +/- 2.8 years old. Seven of them were able to walk (2 Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), 1 Becker Muscular Dystrophy, 1 Congenital Myopathy, 1 Bethlem Syndrome, 2 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy); and 6 were unable to walk (4 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type III and 1 SMAII). The results of RMF and 6MWT before and after 13 weeks of respiratory muscle training (RMT) (40-50 percent Pimax and 60-70 percent Pemax) and aerobic training (AT) (50 percent heart rate reserve) were analyzed. Wilcoxon test with 95 percent confidence interval was used to assess statistical significance. Results: Significant changes (p < 0.05) were observed in the averages of dyspnea score that decreased in 1.8 points (from 4.4 to 2.6; -40.9 percent) and in sustained inspiratory pressure (Pims) that increased in 14.3 cm H2O (from 16 to 30.3; +89.4 percent). Other variables that assessed aerobic capacity (6 MWT, heart rate and leg fatigue) and RMF (Pimax and Pemax) showed a trend towards improvement, but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: In patients with neuromuscular diseases significant changes in dyspnea after cardiopulmonary training protocol were observed. Moreover, the moderate intensity respiratory muscle training was well tolerated and an effective method to generate significant increases in Pims, constituting an alternative to previously established protocols.

Introducción: La rehabilitación respiratoria (RR) ha adquirido un papel importante en el manejo del paciente con enfermedad neuromuscular. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de un programa de rehabilitación respiratoria (RR) sobre variables del test de caminata de 6 min (C6M) y función muscular respiratoria (FMR) en pacientes con patología neuromuscular. Pacientes y Métodos: En el estudio se incluyeron 13 pacientes, edad: 12,5 +/- 2,8 años, de los cuales 7 son ambulantes (2 distrofia muscular (DM) fascio-escápulo-humeral, 1 DM de Becker, 1 miopatía congénita, 1 síndrome de Bethlem, 2 DM de Duchenne); y 6 no son ambulantes (4 DM de Duchenne, 1 atrofia espinal (AT) tipo 3 y 1AT 2). Se analizaron los registros de FMR y C6M al inicio y posterior a 13 semanas de entrenamiento muscular respiratorio (40-50 por ciento Pimax y 60-70 por ciento Pemax) y cardiopulmonar (50 por ciento de FCR). Se utilizó el test no paramétrico de Wilcoxon con un intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento. Resultados: Se observaron cambios significativos (p < 0,05) en el puntaje de disnea que disminuyó 1,8 puntos (de 4,4 a 2,6; -40,9 por ciento) y en la presión inspiratoria máxima sostenida (Pims) que aumentó 14,3 cm de H2O (de 16 a 30,3 cm H(2)0; +89,4 por ciento). Las otras variables que evaluaron capacidad aeróbica (C6M, frecuencia cardíaca y fatiga de las piernas) y función de los músculos respiratorios (Pimax y Pemax) mostraron una tendencia a la mejoría, sin embargo, no alcanzaron significación estadística. Conclusiones: En pacientes con enfermedades neuromusculares se observan cambios significativos en la disnea posterior a un protocolo de entrenamiento cardiopulmonar. Por otra parte, el entrenamiento muscular respiratorio de moderada intensidad fue un método bien tolerado y efectivo para generar incrementos significativos en la Pims, constituyendo una alternativa a los protocolos previamente establecidos.