Rehabilitation in Muscular Dystrophies From the Hospital Facility to the Home: Pilot Project [RIMUDI]

Rehabilitation in Muscular Dystrophies From the Hospital Facility to the Home: Pilot Project

Until twenty years ago physical exercise in muscular dystrophies was considered harmful to the muscle cells, inducing an acceleration of cell necrosis. In fact, it is now certain and validated that an active lifestyle and the practice of controlled and regular physical activity are to be considered therapeutic in neuromuscular pathologies with the aim of optimizing muscular and cardio-respiratory function and preventing atrophy In particular, it seems that the optimal care is extensive and can be carried out in a safe and controlled manner even at home.

It is well documented that exercise has beneficial effects on muscle with increased strength and muscular endurance.

This project was born precisely from the idea of giving an answer to the needs of patients on the one hand regarding being educated to carry out a physical activity/exercise "suitable" for the dystrophic muscle fiber and on the other to be able to insert this into everyday life activities, with remote expert monitoring.

One aim is to offer continuity of care between the hospital structure and the home, also offering a concrete response to the inconsistent care guaranteed for these chronic developmental diseases by the National Health Service. The drafting of a personalized therapeutic plan, to be implemented within the home, would not only support the patient's motor needs, but would also guarantee a positive impact on a psychological level, strengthening the patient's participation in shared therapeutic objectives and awareness of the same. This pilot project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month tele-rehabilitation program for continuity of care in a population of subjects suffering from neuromuscular pathology. The primary outcome will then be integrated with an assessment of tolerance of the path and usability and acceptability of the tele-rehabilitation system used.

Each patient will carry out a series of evaluation and training sessions (15 sessions) with a physiotherapist for the drafting of a personalized treatment plan that subsequently will be carried out "independently" at domicile.

During these days, periodic clinical-instrumental evaluations indicated by the specific guidelines for each form of dystrophy and in particular cardiorespiratory and nutritional status ones will also be carried out.

Furthermore, "educational" support will also take place, instructing the patient about the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle and regular practice of controlled physical activity.

The home therapeutic proposal will include the use of the tele-rehabilitation system with virtual reality Home Kit - Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System (VRRS KHIMEYA) which allows to perform personalized games at home.

Inclusion Criteria:- definite genetic diagnosis of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy: LGMD2A/R1(calpain 3 deficiency), LGMD2B/R2(dysferlin deficiency), LGMD2I/R9 (FKRP), LGMD2L /R11(ANOCTAMIN 5) or Facio Scapulo Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD) or Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD);

• strength values at the level of the main antigravity muscles > or equal to 3, according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale;
• independent walking in a protected (internal) environment, even with assistance;
• patients must have performed at least 1 clinical-functional evaluation at our facility in the year preceding the start of the trial.
• They must express compliance with joining the project and must not be followed from a physiotherapeutic point of view elsewhere during the 6 months of participation in the project.

Exclusion Criteria:

• dilated or ischemic heart disease with Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction <50%;
• chronic respiratory failure with Forced Vital Capacity < 40% predicted, nocturnal oxygen desaturation - > 5% of nocturnal time spent with peripheral oxygen saturation levels < 90).