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A pilot study of proximal strength training in Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Author(s) -
Ramdharry Gita M.,
Pollard Alexander,
Anderson Cheryl,
Laurá Matilde,
Murphy Sinead M.,
Dudziec Magdalena,
Dewar Elizabeth L.,
Hutton Elspeth,
Grant Robert,
Reilly Mary M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the peripheral nervous system
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1529-8027
pISSN - 1085-9489
DOI - 10.1111/jns.12100
Subject(s) - medicine , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , tooth disease , gait , resistance training , muscle strength , perceived exertion , flexor muscles , preferred walking speed , strength training , disease , heart rate , blood pressure
Gait analysis of people with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease revealed proximal adaptive gait strategies to compensate for foot drop. We previously demonstrated that hip flexor muscle fatigue can limit walking endurance. This pilot study used a single‐blinded cross over design to investigate the effect of a 16‐week home‐based programme of resistance training on hip flexor muscle strength. Measures of walking endurance, gait speed, exertion, fatigue, and general activity were also recorded. The exercise protocol was based on American College of Sports Medicine recommendations. A mixed effects model was used for analysis. Twenty‐six people finished the study, with average reported exercise participation of 93%. No negative effects of exercise were observed. Significant increase in hip flexor muscle strength was observed on the left, but not the right. No changes were observed in walking speed and endurance measures. This pilot study of home‐based resistance training showed a modest improvement in hip strength but only on one side. The lack of a more significant improvement and no improvement in walking measures suggests that this training protocol may not be optimal for people with CMT and that patients may need to stratified differently for training studies in CMT .