[Investigation of activity of daily living performance in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy].
The purpose of this study was to reach a better understanding the deficits of activity of daily living (ADL) skills in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and their influencing factors. Our samples consisted of 35 male DMD patients, aged 3-24 years. The Barthel index was used to assess daily living abilities. Besides ten different motor abilities, muscle strengths of both upper and lower extremities and joint contractures were also included in each patient's evaluation. The results of degree of severity in ADL performance showed that 21.1% of patients were classified as totally dependent, 48.5% were severely dependent, 12.1% moderately dependent, 9.1% mildly dependent and 9.1% totally independent. Among the ADL skills, the bathing needed most assistance whereas feeding required the least. Two of the sixteen factors influencing ADL performance was calculated to be significant after stepwise multiple regression analysis. They were hip contracture and static sitting balance. In conclusion, we find that DMD patients are highly dependent in carrying out ADL tasks. Therefore, it is very important to avoid contracture, to increase static sitting balance and to use appropriate devices to improve their daily living abilities. Finally, the Barthel index proved acceptable in evaluating Taiwanese children over six years of age.