Effects of hand-training in persons with myotonic dystrophy type 1--a randomised controlled cross-over pilot study.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of a hand-training programme on grip, pinch and wrist force, manual dexterity and activities of daily living, in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Method: In this randomised controlled trial with a crossover design, 35 adults with DM1 were, after stratification for grip force, assigned by lot to two groups. Group A started with 12 weeks of hand training, while group B had no intervention.

Effects of a hand training programme in five patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

The aim of this study was to evaluate hand function and self-rated occupational performance before and after specific hand training in five participants with myotonic dystrophy (MD) type 1. MD is the commonest of the muscular dystrophies with adult onset and is associated with muscle weakness, wasting and myotonia. Compensatory techniques and strategies are mostly offered as the only intervention therapy.

[A national curriculum in neurology for medical education].

The knowledge within medicine is growing rapidly. It has become more and more difficult to decide what knowledge that has to be taught to medical students during their University Medical Degree (MD) education and what has to be omitted from their study plans. As help for teachers and students, a core curriculum of the education defines what is of importance for all students.

Electrophoretic determination of the myosin/actin ratio in the diagnosis of critical illness myopathy.

Objective: To develop a rapid method to quantify myosin in muscle biopsy specimens from patients with critical illness myopathy (CIM).

Design: Percutaneous muscle biopsy specimens at different stages of CIM were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by horizontal pore gradient SDS electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The myosin/actin ratio was calculated densitometrically.

Muscular dystrophies: influence of physical conditioning on the disease evolution.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize the current knowledge of the effects of physical activity on muscular dystrophies.

Recent Findings: Although the usefulness of exercise training in muscular dystrophy patients has been debated for many years, only a limited number of articles addressing this issue have been published to date. Existing studies on the effects of strength training in patients with muscular dystrophies have shown promising results, but interpretations are hampered by several methodological shortcomings.