Walking activity in a large cohort of boys with <scp>Duchenne</scp> muscular dystrophy
Donovan J. Lott, Tanja Taivassalo, Claudia Senesac, Rebecca J. Willcocks, Ann M. Harrington, Kirsten L. Zilke, Hilary Cunkle, Catherine A. Powers, Erika Finanger, William D. Rooney, Gihan Tennekoon, Krista Vandenborne
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In this study we explored walking activity in a large cohort of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: Step activity (monitored for 7 days), functional ability, and strength were quantified in ambulatory boys (5-12.9 years of age) with DMD and unaffected boys. Ambulatory status was determined 2 years later. RESULTS: = 0.80-0.95). Age comparisons revealed significant declines for step activity with increasing age, and relationships were found between step activity with both function and strength (P < .01). Our regression model predicted 36.5% of the variance in step activity. Those who were still ambulatory after 2 years demonstrated baseline step activity nearly double that of those who were no longer walking 2 years later (P < .01). DISCUSSION: Step activity for DMD is related to and predictive of functional declines, which may be useful for clinical trials.