Feasibility and Safety of Applying the Functional Electrical Stimulation to Child with Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy: A Case Report

Abstract

Aims

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and safety of short-term functional electrical stimulation (FES) training of the quadriceps femoris muscles in a child with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Methods

A 7-year-old child with FSHD received treatment due to a decrease in functional performance and difficulty climbing stairs. The child was followed up with a home-based exercise program. FES was applied twice a week during stair climbing for six weeks. Muscle activation of the quadriceps femoris was measured using superficial electromyography, muscle strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer, and functional performance was assessed with the 6-Minute Walk and the Stair Climb Tests before and after the treatment period.

Results

At the end of the treatment, there was an improvement in muscle activation. While muscle strength increased in the quadriceps femoris muscle of the non-dominant side, it remained constant on the dominant side. Functional performance test results also improved.

Conclusions

FES was a feasible and safe tool to use in our case, a child with FSHD.

Keywords:

• Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
• electrical stimulation
• electromyography
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgement

We thank Tüzün Fırat, Özgün Uysal, Semra Topuz and Ali İmran Yalçın for their support regarding the article.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.