Upper limb motor fatigue in children and adolescents with neuromuscular diseases - clinical follow-up, evaluation and protocol analysis.

• Grant number: 23/09601-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Cláudia Ferreira da Rosa Sobreira
• Grantee: Emanuela Juvenal Martins
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/17596-4 - Aerobic capacity, muscle strength and power of children and adolescents with chronic disease: characterization and treatment, AP.TEM

Abstract

Introduction: The upper limbs of children and adolescents with neuromuscular diseases become the target of fatigue symptoms due to overload, especially in those whose lower limbs are functionally compromised. These patients become dependent on parents and caregivers to carry out tasks of daily living and progressively become sedentary, a fact that conditions the vicious cycle: fatigue-inactivity-fatigue. However, so far, no scientific studies have been found that address the investigation purposes of motor fatigability, using different equipment, in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth and myopathies (congenital dystrophies and myopathies). The clinical and scientific relevances of this study are based on the problem of patients' disabilities when exposed to short physical exertion and the impairment of the quality of life of individuals and their caregivers in activities of daily living. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to analyze the variables related to the motor fatigability protocol of upper limbs in children and adolescents with neuromuscular diseases and to actively participate in the recruitment of volunteers and data collection at the Rehabilitation Center of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP). Activities: The scholarship holder must (1) participate of the medical clinics related to neuromuscular diseases at HCFMRP-USP, collaborating in the recruitment of patients with the potential to participate in ongoing research (following the inclusion and non-inclusion criteria); (2) participate in assessments of motor fatigability of the elbow flexors and extensors in children and adolescents with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, dystrophies and congenital myopathies, which has already been developed and applied in typical children and adolescents and those with spina bifida. Project approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of FMRP-USP (CAAE 45454620.3.0000.5440 / 2021), including data collection, processing and analysis; (3) continue with the latest follow-up assessments of participants with chronic diseases in subproject 3.5.1, Theme 5. In the latter, patients will be assessed in terms of: weight, height, body composition (bioelectrical impedance), activity level physical activity (Physical activity for children and adolescents - PAQ-C/A, and physical activity monitor), strength of the hand and upper limbs (elbow and shoulder flexors and extensors and shoulder abductors), and fatigability (using isokinetic and bulb dynamometers), surface electromyography and cardiorespiratory evaluation at HCFMRP-USP). Results: The results will be presented in the scientific articles (submission) and the last scientific report of the Thematic Project (Final Report - 5).