Timed immersion expiration measures in patients with muscular dystrophies

INTRODUCTION: Muscular dystrophies (MD) cause muscle weakness, affecting motor and respiratory functions. Aquatic activities maintain strength and ventilatory function and may require immersion expiration control. OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe the evolution of timed immersion expiration in patients with MD in one-year follow-up. (2) to describe motor and respiratory outcomes in one-year follow-up. (3) to investigate possible relationships between timed immersion expiration and age, motor and respiratory functions. METHOD: Fifty-seven patients with MD (12–35 years, Vignos scale 2–8) were evaluated twice, with one-year interval. Immersion expiration control was timed with a chronometer. Motor function was assessed by Motor Function Measure. The respiratory function was evaluated by spirometry. Analysis of variance compared assessments and Pearson tests investigated relationships between variables and age. RESULTS: Motor and respiratory functions decreased (p < 0.001) but timed immersion expiration was maintained. Timed immersion expiration was not correlated to motor and respiratory functions. CONCLUSION: As patients maintained timed immersion expiration in the one-year follow-up, aquatic therapy might be a facilitator for people with MD.