Active clinical trials for "Muscular Dystrophies"

This study examine whether an evidence-based individual user-preferred exercise program will increase the physical activity level in boys with Duchenne muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

This research study wants to learn more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and exercise. Today it is unknown how exercising impacts boys with DMD. The investigators believe that increasing activity and aerobic exercise may help with heart, lung, and muscle function. The investigators are hoping to compare physical strength and blood samples of boys with DMD to see if there are any differences between kids who exercised more as a child versus those who didn't.

Bullying is an epidemic in Canada, and rates may be underreported. Youth with a disability were more likely to be bullied that those without disabilities, specifically if the disability was visible. Research has been conducted on the prevalence and effects of bullying in youth with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, obesity, and chronic pain; however, there is a paucity of research involving youth with muscular dystrophy and congenital myopathies. The objectives of this study are to: (1) measure bullying frequency, (2) describe the types of bullying experiences; and (3) explore barriers and facilitators to dealing with bullying by youth with muscular dystrophy or congenital myopathies and their parents. The objectives will be met by an online survey and qualitative interviews of youth with muscular dystrophy and congenital myopathy and their parents.

This is a multicenter prospective non-drug screening study. The working period is 12 months. There is no research product to be followed or used in the study. Demographic data, medical and family histories of the patients included in the study will be collected at the first admission. The following laboratory values of the patients will be collected: Alanine Transaminase (ALT) Aspartate Transaminase (AST) Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) In addition, physical examination information and Abdominal USG and Liver Biopsy Results, if any, will be collected. Following the above scans, enzyme analysis for late-onset Pompe disease in boys and girls and adolescents with high CPK levels and molecular genetic tests for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in boys and adolescents with high CPK levels will be performed.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a devastating progressive muscle dystrophy. There is no treatment. FSHD is generally characterized by asymmetrical weakness and wasting of facial, shoulder girdle and upper arm muscles followed by weakness of muscles of the trunk and lower extremities, but disease severity varies widely between patients. Relatively long periods of stability are interspersed with short periods of potentially steep decline, leading overall to a slow but unpredictable rate of progression. Different genotypes underlying FSHD have been identified, but they result in highly similar phenotypes and at the molecular level converge on undue expression of the transcription factor, DUX4, in skeletal muscle, which is thought to (ultimately) lead to muscle wasting due to inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. There is no approved treatment, although various companies are engaged in FSHD drug discovery and development aimed in particular at reducing DUX4 expression. Multiple treatment options are currently under development in both preclinical and early clinical stages. However, these efforts face significant challenges in the path to regulatory approval. Because of the slow and variable rate of progression of FSHD, evidencing a significant treatment response will be cumbersome using only the existing measurements of muscle function. The successful development of these investigative treatments for FSHD is therefore highly dependent on the availability of validated disease and treatment biomarkers to monitor disease progression and response to treatment, respectively. To date, no such validated biomarkers exist. This study is important for four reasons: 1. Clinical testing of FSHD drug candidates requires the availability of clinical biomarkers that (a) change relatively rapidly over time; (b) allow for identification of fast progressors; and (c) correlate with "gold standard", but slowly changing, clinical severity and/or functional scores. This study is a first step in that direction as it seeks to explore if the investigational digital technologies described below are able to generate single or composite variables that (cross-sectionally) distinguish FSHD patients from controls. If identified, such variables will be tested as putative clinical FSHD biomarkers in a follow-up longitudinal study with FSHD patients. 2. Patient testimonies indicate that living with FSHD means living with pain, fatigue, social isolation, and anxiety about the future. This study provides the first-ever opportunity to gather objective, real-world data about the impact of FSHD on daily life. 3. Regulators have already indicated that Real-World Data (RWD) is a top strategic priority for their drug reviews. This study aims to fill this gap by gathering RWD about the physical and social activities of FSHD patients in comparison with controls. This way we aim to find (composite) scores that correlate with selected severity and functional scores and additionally distinguish FSHD patients from controls. 4. This study offers an opportunity to expand the spectrum of diseases in which RWD may be used as (a basis for) clinical outcome measures. A successful outcome of this study may support testing the MORE platform in other muscular dystrophies as well.

This study was planned to investigate the parental influence on physical activity (PA) level and participation in ambulatory children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). For this purpose, 30 children with DMD between the ages of 8-18, who were between Levels 1-4 according to the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification (BLEFC), were included in the study. The demographic information of the participants and their detailed information about the disease were recorded. Parents' PA level was assessed via International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF); Children's PA level was assessed via Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and pedometer, participation was assessed via Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), and parental influence was assessed via Children's Physical Activity Correlates (CPAC). Additionally, children's PA interest was assessed via Children's Attraction to Physical Activity (CAPA). SPSS 25 program was used in the statistical analysis of the evaluation results. The mean age of the individuals included in the study was found to be 8,70±0,84. Parental influence evaluations, positive and weak-moderate correlations were determined between CPAC Questionnaire "Parental Influence" sub-dimension with PAQ-C (r=0,582), CAPA (0,432) and PODCI (r=0,372) (p<0,05). A positive, moderate correlation was found between the PA levels of mothers obtained from IPAQ-SF and PAQ-C (p<0,01). The results of the study show that the parents, especially the mother who is the primary caregiver, can be an important factor to improve the PA levels, increase their attraction to PA and participation in children with DMD.

It is now accepted that physical activity is not deleterious in myopathies, including muscular dystrophies. In patients suffering from facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), aerobic training has been reported to be associated with physiological and functional positive effects without alteration in quality of life. Van der Kooi et al. (2005) and Cup et al. (2007) studies suggest that the combination of endurance and strength trainings is even more relevant. However, only a few controlled and randomized studies have been conducted on this topic and the impact of such training programs on skeletal muscle regenerative capacities has not been addressed yet. Moreover, due to the fact that training programs are mainly performed on short-term supervised periods, there is a lack of knowledge regarding long-term effects, patient's autonomy and whether or not practice of regular exercise can be maintained in patient's daily life. Also, only a few experiments report an integrative view of potential benefits of such programs on functional, biological and quality of life.

An investigation of disease progression in adult danish patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. The disease progression is followed for a year with two test-days, including functional muscle tests and a MRI scan of muscles in the back and legs.

Background: - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disease in which the muscles are unable to make the protein dystrophin. Without this protein, the muscles become gradually weaker. A new medicine called GSK2402968 is being tested to see if it can help prevent or slow down this loss of muscle strength. In this study, boys with DMD and healthy volunteers will have different types of imaging studies to see which ones provide the best images of the muscles. This information will help researchers use these imaging techniques to test the safety and effectiveness of GSK2402968 and other agents. Objectives: - To test magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound techniques that can detect changes in muscles of boys with DMD. Eligibility: Boys who have DMD and are in the GSK2402968 drug test study. Healthy boys of the same age as the above study participants. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. Healthy volunteers will have one 2-hour visit with three tests. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the skeletal muscles and heart and diaphragm muscles will be carried out. Muscle ultrasound imaging of leg and arm muscles will also be done. Participants should not perform heavy physical activity like school sports or long walks during the week before the visit. Participants in the GSK2402968 study will have the same series of tests as the healthy volunteers. The tests will be given during the study screening phase. They will be repeated after 3 months and 6 months of receiving the study agent (GSK2402968 or placebo) and at 6 months after stopping the GSK study.

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston Neurology Department invite children to participate in a new research study. Researchers are looking for boys ages 2 - 30 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and healthy boys ages 2 - 30 (without any nerve or muscle concerns) to serve as controls. The study is evaluating a new technique that will test nerve and muscle function. The testing is all pain free. Children participating in the study will come in for 10 visits over two years. Visits will take place every month at first, then less often for the remaining visits. The tests for the study itself take approximately 2hours. If participants are interested or would like to learn more about the study, please call Lavanya Madabusi at 617-919-3554 or Lavanya.Madabusi@childrens.harvard.edu. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.