The tools

Neuromuscular diseases are mostly progressive over time. Different tests provide a view of the pathology at the present moment, but also follow-up over time.

Evaluation tests of respiratory, muscular, articular and functional

Respiratory, muscular, joint function and functional assessment tests constitute a valuable battery of tools used both during consultations and in clinical trials:

During the consultation, they allow us to describe precisely the symptoms and the deficits of the neuromuscular disease. Once the assessment is performed, we can choose the rehabilitation precisely and adapt it to each child.

In the context of therapeutic trials, these tests will make it possible to select homogeneous groups of patients in order to be able to assess more objectively the effect of certain therapies. We can then assess the effectiveness of the tested treatments.

Some tests measure strength precisely, muscle by muscle. Other, more comprehensive tests assess the motor functions of the lower and upper limbs as a whole. These tests make it possible to see the effect of diseases on the activities of daily living of children.

Thus, we distinguish:

• motor function assessment scales (MFM, NSAA, CHOP, HFMSE, GMFM, Bayley scale, Peabody scale, Upper limb assessments [PUL and RULM])
• the timed tests (6-minute walk test, 10-Meter Walk or Run test, 4 Stair Climb, Rise from Floor, Timed Up and Go, 30 Seconds Sit to Stand)
• muscle strength assessment (MMT, Dynamometry, MyoTools)
• the assessment of respiratory function (Spirometry)