Article

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is a muscular disease usually spreading from
upper to lower body and characterised by asymmetric muscle weakness. Walking
ability is compromised in these patients, with a consequent high risk of falls. A quantitative analysis of the upper body oscillations may unveil useful
information about the capacity of these patients to stabilise the head, maintain
balance, and compensate for lower limb muscle weakness during walking. This study
involved 13 patients with FSHD and 13 healthy volunteers. The trajectories of
three points located on the cranio-caudal axis, at head, shoulder, and pelvis
levels, during level walking, were analysed. The range of motion of these three
points and the attenuation of the relevant accelerations going from pelvis to
head level were used to describe the upper body movements during walking. The
patients had wider and less symmetrical oscillations than the healthy controls
both in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions. Furthermore, the capacity
of the patients to attenuate the accelerations going from pelvis to head level
was reduced. These features may be related not only to upper body muscle
weakness, but also to a strategy functional to the compensation of proximal leg
muscle weakness. In conclusion, this study highlighted that the control of upper
body oscillations and of head stability is reduced in patients with FSHD,
suggesting that the assessment of the upper body movements should be included in
the treatment decision process.

Langue : ANGLAIS