Effects of Posture and Quality of Life in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Children

Effects of Alexander Technique on Posture Control of Upper Limb and Quality of Life in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder predominantly affecting boys and men, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 3,800 to 1 in 6,200 live male births. This condition leads to progressive muscle weakness due to the absence of the dystrophin protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle cell integrity. Symptoms and functional impairments typically become apparent by the age of two, and individuals with DMD have an average life expectancy of around 28 years. Treatment is generally multifaceted, focusing on enhancing quality of life (QOL) and postural control. The Alexander technique is employed to improve QOL and postural tone, as well as to modify body schema, with reported benefits from these changes. This method leverages spatial attention and executive functions that influence basic motor skills through targeted attention, intention, and haptic communication, thereby enhancing the QOL and postural control of the upper limbs. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of Alexander's technique on postural control of upper limb and quality of life in children with duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Child, Only
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Alexander Technique Program

Detailed Description

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive, disabling genetic neuromuscular disorder in children caused by an absence of dystrophin protein, that helps maintain muscle integrity. It is inherited in an X-linked recessive manner. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) was first identified by the French neurologist Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne in the 1860s. However in 1987, the protein linked to this gene was discovered and named dystrophin.The estimated incidence in children is 1 in 3,800. The absence of dystrophin in muscle cells makes them vulnerable and prone to damage. The initial symptoms include trouble climbing stairs, a waddling gait, and frequent falls, which typically appear in patients around the ages of 2 to 3. Muscle weakness is the primary symptom of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Initially, the weakness affects the proximal muscles, followed by the distal limb muscles, leading to wheelchair dependency and severe complications in their late teens. Typically, the lower extremity muscles are impacted before the upper extremity muscles, children may struggle with activities such as jumping, running, and walking. Later on the heart and respiratory muscles are also affected, resulting in impaired cardiac and pulmonary function. Another type related to DMD is Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), which is a milder form of the disease caused by deletions in the dystrophin gene. This results in comparatively mild muscle weakness, allowing individuals to maintain mobility throughout their lives, although it can also lead to severe muscle dysfunction similar to that seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). As the disease progresses, maintaining upper extremity function becomes crucial for preserving the ability to independently perform daily activities, such as self-care, using a computer, and operating manual or powered wheelchairs. Therefore, clinical assessments of disease-modifying treatments should prioritize the preservation of pulmonary, cardiac, and upper limb function to enhance quality of life.

Commonly used outcomes to evaluate Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) include the Gowers' maneuver, the time taken to get up from the floor, the 6-Minute Walk Test, increased tendency to fall compared to peers, and speech difficulties, all of which reflect the progression of the disease. In children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a multidisciplinary approach is employed to provide supportive therapies, such as treadmill walking, which helps enhance adaptive mechanisms necessary for coordination, body orientation, balance control, and maintaining an upright position. Additionally, cycling is considered an aerobic exercise that improves repetitive functional activities.

In patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the upper limb maintain their strength and function longer than any other muscle group, unlike the respiratory system. Notably, the distal muscles of the upper limb tend to preserve their function for an extended period, even in the later stages of the disease to improve quality of life. Low-intensity aerobic exercises aimed at enhancing activity levels in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), such as assisted bicycle training, provide valuable practices that promote effective management and boost confidence, ultimately leading to an improved quality of life.The quality of life and life expectancy of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have improved due to advancements in technology and multidisciplinary care. Proposed treatments have effectively slowed disease progression, delaying both functional dependence and cardio respiratory impairments.

Finding optimal treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has become challenging due to the complexity of the condition. The treatment options for Duchenne muscular dystrophy vary based on the child's symptoms and age, with the goal of improving quality of life and postural control. While there are various tools available to assess upper limb function, postural control, and quality of life, these assessments are particularly important at stages when patients experience a loss of postural control and a decline in quality of life. The Alexander technique is used to enhance quality of life and postural tone, while also helping to modify body schema.This approach emphasizes the mind-body interaction, consciously inhibiting inefficient movements to enable the body to generate stronger and more comfortable movements, that allows the head and shoulder to balance forward and upward, thereby improving postural control of the upper limbs. Given that postural control and improved quality of life are benefits of the Alexander technique, it is based on the AID method. Here, A stands for awareness of muscle tone and poor postural habits, I represents the conscious inhibition of ineffective movements, and D refers to direction.

The Alexander technique is recognized as an effective treatment for upper limb postural control and quality of life; however, its specific effects on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) remain no known. So there should a study on effect of the Alexander technique on upper limb postural control and quality of life in children with DMD. Therefore the aim of this to determine the effects of the Alexander technique on upper limb posture control and quality of life in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 33
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD; Phone Number: 9233224390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Recruiting
      • Psrd Hospital
      • Contact: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD; Phone Number: 9233224390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
      • Contact: Muhammad Asif Javed; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children suffering from duchenne muscular dystrophy,age between 5 to 9

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with metabolic disorder
• Children with accidental disorder
• Children with recent of surgery
• Children with mentally retard

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Group A, Alexander Technique Protocol Group; Participants in this group will perform routine physical therapy exercises in addition with Alexander technique exercise. The routine exercises will consist of gentle stretching and strengthening exercise. 40 mins program consist of 12 training sessions, 2 per week.	Other: Alexander Technique Program; Alexander technique involves postural and proprioceptive re-education and focuse on teaches the correct use of postural mechanism, coordination of trunk and head as a core relationship for good movement. In DMD neck muscles are compromised due to less amount of dystrophin and adopt bad posture of neck which decrease postural control and QOL. Through this technique participants will complete 12 training sessions within 6 weeks (2 per week) of 40 mins. Will examining body habits and patterns during various activities (5 min). Teaching and applying the basic principles of Alexander technique, including inhibition, primary control, and direction in various activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, studying, and lifting objects using tactile and verbal feedback (30 min). These exercises will perform to improve the neck, shoulder and upper limb muscles for strengthening and improve to upper limb postural control and quality of life.; Other Names: Routine Physical Therapy technique
Active Comparator: Group B, Routine Protocol Group; Participants in this group will perform routine physical therapy exercises only. The routine exercises will consist of gentle stretching and strengthening exercise. 40 mins program consist of 12 training sessions, 2 per week.	Other: Alexander Technique Program; Alexander technique involves postural and proprioceptive re-education and focuse on teaches the correct use of postural mechanism, coordination of trunk and head as a core relationship for good movement. In DMD neck muscles are compromised due to less amount of dystrophin and adopt bad posture of neck which decrease postural control and QOL. Through this technique participants will complete 12 training sessions within 6 weeks (2 per week) of 40 mins. Will examining body habits and patterns during various activities (5 min). Teaching and applying the basic principles of Alexander technique, including inhibition, primary control, and direction in various activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, studying, and lifting objects using tactile and verbal feedback (30 min). These exercises will perform to improve the neck, shoulder and upper limb muscles for strengthening and improve to upper limb postural control and quality of life.; Other Names: Routine Physical Therapy technique

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postural Control of Upper Limb	Upper limb postural control will be assessed using the Postural Control of the Upper Limb (POUL) scale. The tool evaluates scapular alignment, shoulder stability, elbow control, wrist posture, and hand positioning during functional tasks. Higher scores indicate better postural control.	3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Muhammad Hassan Tahir, MS-PT, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Duan D, Goemans N, Takeda S, Mercuri E, Aartsma-Rus A. Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 Feb 18;7(1):13. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00248-3.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 27, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR&AHS/M. HassanTahir

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No