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DMD and Gamified Physiotherapy

NCT07368400 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 46

Last updated 2026-01-27

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease that limits children's physical function, mobility, and participation in daily life. Regular physiotherapy and exercise are essential to slow functional decline; however, many children experience difficulties maintaining motivation and adherence to long-term exercise programs. Low adherence leads to reduced treatment benefit and faster loss of motor abilities.

This study aims to investigate whether a gamified mobile physiotherapy exercise program can improve participation, motivation, and physical outcomes in children with DMD. The mobile program includes personalized exercises designed by physiotherapists and occupational therapists, combined with game-based elements such as rewards, levels, feedback, and virtual achievements to enhance engagement. The program is delivered in addition to face-to-face physiotherapy.

A total of 46 boys aged 6-12 years with a confirmed diagnosis of DMD will be recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Both groups will attend an 8-week center-based physiotherapy program. The intervention group will additionally use the gamified mobile exercise application at home, while the control group will receive a standard home exercise program. Participants will be evaluated before treatment, after 8 weeks, and at 6-month follow-up.

The primary outcomes include physical function, endurance, and mobility. Secondary outcomes include psychosocial well-being, motivation, and therapy participation. The study intends to determine whether gamification-based telerehabilitation can increase adherence, preserve physical abilities, and support participation in children with DMD. If effective, this approach may offer a practical and accessible tool to support long-term rehabilitation needs in this population.

Conditions

  • Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Gamified Mobile Physiotherapy Exercise Application

A mobile gamified exercise program designed for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The program includes personalised exercise tasks, progression-based game features, and feedback to support home-based physiotherapy participation.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard Home Exercise Instructions

Conventional physiotherapy home exercise instructions provided as written and verbal guidance without digital or gamified components. Exercises are aligned with standard clinical practice for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hacettepe University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Lokman Hekim University

    collaborator OTHER_GOV

  • Bezmialem Vakif University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Başak Çağla Arslan

    lead OTHER_GOV

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
6 Years
Max Age
12 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-08
Primary Completion
2026-12-21
Completion
2028-07-05

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07368400 on ClinicalTrials.gov