A pilot randomised controlled trial of a home-based exercise programme aimed at improving endurance and function in adults with neuromuscular disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility and effect of a home-based exercise programme on walking endurance, muscle strength, fatigue and function in people with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs).


METHODS
20 adults with NMDs recruited to a control (n = 11) or exercise (n = 9) group were assessed by blinded assessors at baseline and at week 8. Walking and strengthening exercises were given to the exercise group in an 8-week home exercise programme. A 2-min walk distance was the main outcome measurement; isometric muscle strength, fatigue and function were secondary measurements.


RESULTS
2-min walk distances were not found to change in either group (p>0.05; control: mean 14.50 (SD 22.06) m; exercise: mean 2.88 (SD 20.08) m), and no difference was observed in the change scores between groups (p>0.05). Leg muscle strength increased in the exercise group (p<0.05) but not in the control group (p>0.05). Significance was reached between the groups with respect to the difference in change in muscle strength scores in the right quadriceps (p<0.05; control: mean -2.82 (SD 4.87) kg; exercise: mean -7.08 (SD 2.82) kg). No change was observed in fatigue or function scores (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A home-based approach aimed at improving endurance in adults with NMDs is feasible and further investigation on a larger sample is warranted.
Dawes
H
H
Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. hdawes@brookes.ac.uk
Korpershoek
N
N
Freebody
J
J
Elsworth
C
C
van Tintelen
N
N
Wade
D T
DT
Izadi
H
H
Jones
D H
DH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking