Facioscapulohumeral distrophy and physiotherapy: a literary review

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this review was to critically evaluate the literature concerning the physiotherapy of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, and to determine an effective protocol for physiotherapy treatments, which can be adapted to patient characteristics. [Methods] A bibliographic research was carried out of research papers held in the following databases: PUBMED, PEDRO, MEDLINE, EDS BASE INDEX. The inclusion criteria for acceptance of the studies to the review were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning a sample no smaller than 10 people and a medium- or long-term report of the results achieved. [Results] Just six of the works satisfied the inclusion criteria, and just three of them were useful for the review. However, these studies were difficult to compare. [Conclusion] At present, there are few studies concerning facioscapulohumeral dystrophy in the literature, and the few that are available rule out the utility of the techniques used. Therefore, more RCTs of new treatment strategies are needed.

Superficial Shoulder Muscle Synergy Analysis in Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy During Humeral Elevation Tasks

“…Muscle strengthening therapy, including scapular control, is sometimes considered part of the rehabilitation treatment for impingement and scapular winging [42], [43], [44]. Although scapular control therapy remains a debated topic [45], future research should explore whether this therapy could be effective in people with FSHD [36], [46]. Given the limited function of the scapular rotators it is likely that therapeutic decisions should be made on an individual level, after careful assessment of the muscles' coordination using a methodology similar to the one proposed in this study.…”

Rehabilitation management of Pompe disease, from childhood trough adulthood: A systematic review of the literature

“…This obviously represents the main limitation and source of bias of the present review, and in general, of studies on rehabilitation in patients with rare neuromuscular pathologies. 35-39 With regard to indications deriving from our review, rehabilitation methods aimed at reinforcing the respiratory muscles seem to increase MIP levels with a statistically significant difference, 29,31 while only one publication 30 deviates from this trend. It should be mentioned that the study in question regarded a notably different population of patients with respect to both age of onset (IOPD) and ventilatory impairment (5 patients already depended on mechanical ventilation for most of the day).…”

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and rehabilitation: taking stock of evidence based medicine: a systematic review of the literature

“…There are no randomised controlled trials which suggest and verify a specific rehabilitative setting for hEDS. In a scientific context of growing interest in rehabilitation of rare pathologies 20 , 21 ) , the scientific community appears to be totally indifferent to physiotherapeutic approaches to hEDS. Although various authors emphasise the importance of rehabilitation for the prevention and management of the syndrome 22 ) , the literature is frequently limited to investigative studies.…”