A new application of telemedicine in DMD

Since the covid-19 pandemic, telemedicine has experienced an unprecedented development, especially in the home monitoring of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. In order to harmonise practices, a survey was conducted with two distinct groups of physiotherapists:

  • they evaluated the relevance of movements to be performed by the patient himself at a distance,
  • the movements varied according to whether the patient was ambulatory or not,
  • the video recordings of these movements were then transmitted via an application available on mobile phones.

This new tool (DVA for Duchenne Video Assessment) has proven to be very useful in assessing the evolution of motor function in the home setting.

 

Home-based video assessment of ease of movement for patients with Duchenne: Interviews with physical therapists to select movement tasks. Contesse MG, Hodges J, Staunton H et al. Physiother Res Int. 2023 Jan.