Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of
neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) strength training in
facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients.
DESIGN: Uncontrolled
before-after trial. SETTING: Neuromuscular disease center in a university
hospital and a private-practice physical therapy office. PARTICIPANTS: FSHD
patients (N=9; 3 women, 6 men; age 55.2+/-10.4y) clinically characterized by
shoulder girdle and quadriceps femoris muscle weakness. INTERVENTIONS: Patients
underwent 5 months of strength training with NMES bilaterally applied to the
deltoideus, trapezius transversalis, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis
muscles for five 20-minute sessions per week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma
creatine kinase (CK) activity; scores for pain and fatigue on visual analog
scales (VAS), manual muscle testing (MMT), maximal voluntary isometric
contraction (MVIC), 6-minute walking tests (6MWT), and self-reported changes in
daily living activities. RESULTS: NMES strength training was well tolerated (CK
activity and pain and fatigue scores on VAS were not modified). Most of the
muscle functions (shoulder flexion and extension and knee extension) assessed by
MMT were significantly increased. MVIC of shoulder flexion and abduction and the
6MWT distance were also improved. CONCLUSIONS: In FSHD, NMES strength training
appears to be safe with positive effects on muscle function, strength, and
capacity for daily activities.

Langue : ANGLAIS