Interventions to promote physical activity in people with neuromuscular diseases
Evidence relevant to adults with nine different neuromuscular diseases. all 13 studies planned to measure physical activity, but results from six studies were not reported and could not be used. We found important differences between the interventions and the usual care provided in different locations. There were also differences in the way the studies measured and reported their results. Lack of information about physical activity may have affected the results. In terms of time spent in physical activity, it is unclear whether any intervention promoted physical activity in people with neuromuscular diseases. There is also uncertainty about the impact of physical activity interventions on quality of life and harms. However, we found no evidence that physical activity interventions increased serious harm.
Jones K, Hawk F, Newman J, Miller JAL, Barnes J, Jakoblievic DG, Gorman G, Turnbull DM, Lambdary G. Interventions to promote physical activity in people with neuromuscular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, No. 5. Art. No.: CD013544. doi: 10.1002 /14651858.CD013544.pub2. Accessed May 26, 2021.
Commentary
This study reviewed only studies that measured the outcomes of interventions on how to increase physical activity in people with neuromuscular diseases. While continued physical activity is generally recommended, those with the conditions face barriers to being more physically active because of the impact on muscle and nerve function. The study, which included the results of 13 studies and 795 participants, focused on evaluating the effects of physical activity interventions on other aspects of health, fitness and well-being.
These interventions included supported exercise or other types of physical activity, advice about becoming more active, or conversation therapy involving changes in daily activity behaviors, and were interventions supported by physical therapists or other health and fitness professionals. As mentioned above, the results show that it is impossible to say which interventions are appropriate for promoting physical activity in people with neuromuscular diseases because their effectiveness cannot be properly measured.
It may be an intervention that can be neither accepted nor rejected.
