Treadmill training in patients affected by Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathy: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single‐blind, controlled study. (25th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mori, L.; Signori, A.; Prada, V.; Pareyson, D.; Piscosquito, G.; Padua, L.; Pazzaglia, C.; Fabrizi, G. M.; Picelli, A.; Schenone, A.
• Other Names: Grandis Marina investigator.; Maggi Giovanni investigator.; Zuccariono Riccardo investigator.; Marinelli Lucio investigator.; Trompetto Carlo investigator.; Scorsone Deborah investigator.; Montesano Angelo investigator.; Cattaneo Davide investigator.; Casati Eleonora investigator.; Smania Nicola investigator.; Brugnera Annalisa investigator.; Fontana Carla investigator.; Munari Daniele investigator.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neurology. Volume 27:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2019-09-25
• Subjects: aerobic exercise -- Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease -- evidence‐based medicine -- muscle fatigue -- rehabilitation; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ene.14074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-5101

Abstract

Abstract : Background and purpose: Muscle‐strengthening, stretching or proprioceptive treatments may slow symptom progression in Charcot—Marie–Tooth (CMT) neuropathy. The aim of the study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of treadmill training in CMT1A. Methods: We planned a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single‐blind, controlled study. We recruited 53 outpatients affected by CMT1A and randomized them into two treatment groups: one underwent stretching and proprioceptive exercise, whereas the other was additionally treated with treadmill training (TreSPE). Primary outcome measures (OMs) were the walking evaluations and secondary OM was the balance assessment. All participants were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Results: Most patients showed an improvement in at least one OM after 3 months [42/47 (89.4%)] and 6 months [38/40 (95%)] of treatment. No adverse events were reported in either group. Conclusions: The most important finding was that both stretching and proprioceptive exercise and treadmill training had an objective benefit on patients affected by CMT disease, without causing overwork weakness. We had a low rate of drop out and did not find deterioration in motor performance. Our results also confirm that applying evidence‐based medicine methods to rehabilitative research is the correct way to test the efficacy of a treatment.