Physiological effects of hidrotherapic session in children with Duchenne muscular distrophy

Abstract

The Duchenne Muscular Distrophy (DMD) is a recessive genetic disturb, with a high mutation rate of a gene localized in the short side of X cromossome. It is characterized by an irreversible and progressive damage, mainly in the skeletal muscles. We believe that physical activities that requires maximum power against gravity, in a repetitive way, as bad as inactivity, can prejudice children with DMD. Warm water can improve moviments by flutuation effect and pain relief by warmness; it also provides a good environment for kids activities. In this article, we studied some physiologic responses of immersion and hydrotherapic sessions executed in 20 DMD children. It was possible to find some significant alterations in inspiratory and expiratory maximum pressures, and discrete alterations in cardiac frequency, oral temperature and level of oxigen saturation, as expected. So, we have demonstrated that hydrotherapy associated with physical activities is not a physical overload in children with DMD.