OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of regular hydrokinesotherapy sessions and indicators of cardiorespiratory functions on the motor abilities of patients with hereditary myopathy of childhood.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study included 63 patients with genetically confirmed hereditary myopathy. Group 1 included 32 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who were in the early ambulatory stage. Group 2 included 15 patients at the late ambulatory stage. Group 3 included 16 patients with genetically confirmed forms of congenital myopathy. All patients performed a set of exercises, including dynamic aerobic exercises in the pool. The duration of the rehabilitation course was 4 months. At baseline and during follow-up after 2 and 4 months, we assessed: the distance of a 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) with fatigue assessment on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at the end of testing, time tests (running a distance of 10 m, climbing 4 steps) with determination of the functional class (FC) of test performance, spirometry indicators.
RESULTS
Over 4 months of regular training, there were a positive dynamics in the results of a 6-MWT, a decrease in fatigue according to VAS, an improvement in running time of 10 meters’ distance and the speed of climbing 4 steps, and an improvement in the FC of performing tasks (p≤0.01) in groups of patients with DMD at an early ambulatory stage and with congenital myopathies. An improvement in external respiratory function was found in all groups (p≤0.01). A significant correlations between body weight and BMI and a moderate correlation between the age of patients and indicators of motor abilities were revealed. There was a noticeable correlation between heart rate and the severity of fatigue when performing 6-MWT and running time of 10 meters’ distance. When analyzing EchoCG data, the ejection fraction and shortening fraction were characterized by a noticeable correlations with the speed of climbing of 4 steps and a moderate correlations with the results of 6-MWT, fatigue during its implementation, running time of 10 meters’ distance and its FC, as well as with the FC of climbing of 4 steps.
CONCLUSION
Regular hydrokinesotherapy exercises can improve motor abilities, muscle endurance and speed in patients with DMD at the early ambulatory stage and in patients with congenital myopathies of childhood, as well as improve external respiratory function in patients with DMD and congenital myopathies in all ambulatory stages. In groups of patients with DMD, a significant relationship between indicators of speed, fatigue and endurance and the functional capabilities of the heart was revealed.
