Compensatory movements during functional activities in ambulatory children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: During the transitional phase (ambulatory to non-ambulatory), synergies characterize the evolution of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This study was performed to describe and quantify compensatory movements while sitting down on/rising from the floor and climbing up/down steps.

METHOD: Eighty videos (5 children × 4 assessments × 4 tasks) were recorded quarterly in the year prior to gait loss. Compensatory movements from the videos were registered based on the Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD.

RESULTS: The most frequently observed compensatory movements were upper limb support on lower limbs/floor/handrail during all the tasks and lumbar hyperlordosis, trunk support on handrail, equinus foot, increased base of support, non-alternated descent, and pauses while climbing up/down steps.

CONCLUSION: Climbing up/down steps showed a higher number of compensatory movements than sitting down on/rising from the floor, which seemed to be lost before climbing up/down steps in ambulatory children with DMD.