ABSTRACT

Objective : To describe wheelchair seating and prescription problems in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD), for the purpose of identifying management solutions that are practicable for both patient and caregiver.Methods : Sixty-eights patients with DMD filled out the questionnaire at welfare facilities. Main outcome measures are problem and satisfactions of wheelchair using, wheelchair seating system.Results : Most patients become wheelchair-bound and dependent on others for their daily activities during their life. Despite the rapid progress in basic research on the etiology and pathophysiology of DMD, no clinically applicable curative therapy is yet available. It is therefore important for rehabilitation professionals to provide appropriate and timely rehabilitative ways to maximize the quality of life (QOL) of patients with DMD.Conclusion : In the rehabilitation management of patients with DMD, wheelchair seating and prescription becomes very important. As the disease progresses, proper wheelchair seating and prescription is a way to slow deformities, maintain mobility, and enhance QOL. The wheelchair seating and prescription problems that were identified enabled specific, practical suggestions to be made for better management.