Effects of Fear of Falling on Physical Performance and Quality of Life in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Investigating The Effects of Fear of Falling on Physical Performance and Quality of Life in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

For ambulatory children with DMD, physiotherapy is aimed at protecting ambulation, improving motor performance to the best level and increasing quality of life. The investigators think that the treatment of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy may become more effective with physiotherapy programs based on the comprehensive physiotherapy evaluation results, including the evaluation of fear of falling. This study investigates the fear of falling in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and questioning whether their fear of falling affects their quality of life and their physical performance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by a pediatric neurologist,
• Being volunteer,
• Being between 6 and 15 years old,
• Being between levels 1-5 according to the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification developed to classify lower extremity functions in children with DMD,
• Being able to cooperate with the physiotherapist's directives.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being between levels 6-10 (children who do not have independent ambulatory ability) according to the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification,
• Not being able to cooperate with the physiotherapist's directives,
• End of the volunteering.