An adapted dance program for children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a rare hereditary peripheral neuropathy. Its sensorimotor clinical manifestations are heterogeneous, and it might also influence cognitive functions. Physical activity is recommended for adults with CMT, however there is a lack of studies focusing on the effects of physical activity in children with CMT. Dance practice is beneficial for motor and cognitive functions. Adapted dance is interesting for children with CMT because it could address the functional deficits. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of an adapted dance program and to explore its effects on motor and cognitive functions in children with CMT. METHODS: Five children with CMT followed a 10-week dance program added to regular care, while four others received only regular care. Feasibility of the program was assessed by participation and retention rates. Motor (CMT clinical characteristics, muscular force and power, postural control, pain) and cognitive (rhythm task, sustained attention, short term memory) abilities were evaluated before and after the program. RESULTS: The high participation and retention rates (89% and 100%) suggest that a dance program is feasible in children with CMT. Significant benefits were noted for both motor (CMT clinical characteristics, strength of leg muscle groups, pain during physical activity) and cognitive (rhythm task, attention) functions for the dance group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that an adapted dance program is feasible and can have beneficial effects on motor and cognitive functions of children with CMT. Dance appears as a new approach adapted for these children. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Benefits of a Dance Intervention on Balance in Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy.

AIMS: Cerebral palsy (CP) impacts motor functions such as balance, limits of stability and walking, and may also affect other functions such as attention and rhythm production. Motor and non-motor deficits lead to difficulties in daily life activities. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dance intervention on balance in adolescents with CP. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the effects of this intervention on walking speed, attention, and rhythm production. METHODS: A pre-post design study with a double baseline was conducted on ten adolescents with CP in order to assess the effects of a 10-week dance intervention. The dance intervention focused on improving balance and limits of stability. Outcomes on static and dynamic balance were evaluated with clinical and laboratory tests before and after the intervention. Walking speed, attention, and rhythm production were also evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Balance improved after the dance intervention as assessed with both the clinical tests and a laboratory test. Rhythm production also improved after the dance intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a 10-week dance intervention is an effective activity to improve static and dynamic balance as well as rhythmic production in adolescents with CP.

Traduction française de l'échelle Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Pediatric Scale.

Résumé Cet article présente le processus de traduction en français du Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Pediatric Scale (CMTPedS), le seul outil de mesure validé évaluant la sévérité de la maladie chez les enfants atteints de CMT. Le processus de traduction utilisé s'inspire des lignes directrices de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA). La version préliminaire francophone du CMTPedS a été testée auprès de 14 enfants atteints. Les résultats de l'application démontrent que la passation a été bien tolérée par les enfants et s'est avérée conviviale pour les cliniciens. La disponibilité de cet outil en français semble prometteuse pour le suivi des enfants atteints et la réalisation d'essais clinique.