Digital Monitoring of Upper Limb Function in Non-Ambulant DMD

Summary

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin, leading to progressive muscle degeneration. Symptoms typically begin in early childhood and result in loss of ambulation by early adolescence, followed by cardiorespiratory complications. Although early treatment, including corticosteroids and emerging therapies, can slow disease progression, sensitive tools to monitor functional decline-particularly in non-ambulant patients-remain limited.

Current assessments rely primarily on clinical scales and hospital-based evaluations, which may not detect subtle changes or reflect real-life function. Digital outcome measures derived from wearable sensors offer a promising approach for continuous, objective monitoring in daily life. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, reliability, clinical validity, and sensitivity of digital measures to assess upper limb function in non-ambulant patients with genetically confirmed DMD. The Syde device, previously validated in ambulant DMD patients, will be investigated for its applicability in this population.

Conditions

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Performance of the Upper Limb (PUL) Test

This test consists of a set of small manoeuvres (lifting a box, writing, etc.) designed to evaluate the upper-limb functionality of non-ambulatory patients. It was developed specifically for use in cases of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Brook test

The Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Rating Scale will be used to assess the global functional level of upper limb involvement. This 6-point ordinal scale classifies patients according to their highest achievable upper limb function, from full arm abduction to absence of useful hand function.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Dynamometric measurements of muscle strength

Dynamometric measurements of the maximum force of the following functions will be taken with the MyoTools: palmar grip (MyoGrip) and thumb-index pinch (MyoPinch). Test will be realized on the dominant side. Patients will be encouraged during the test. They will be given three trials and the best score will be entered.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) test

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) will be assessed using standardized spirometry procedures. The primary parameter will be FVC expressed as percentage of predicted values. At least three acceptable and reproducible maneuvers will be performed according to standard guidelines.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S)

The CGI-S is a clinician-rated scale used at baseline to assess the overall severity of the participant's condition, based on all available clinical information. The rating reflects the clinician's judgment without standardized scoring rules and must be performed by a clinician experienced in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The CGI-S evaluates three domains: physical motor function, respiratory function, and bulbar function. It is completed after all other study assessments (excluding patient-reported outcomes) to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-C)

The CGI-C is used at each follow-up visit to assess changes in the participant's condition relative to baseline. It provides a clinician-determined measure of improvement or worsening, based on overall clinical judgment rather than fixed criteria. Like the CGI-S, it covers physical motor, respiratory, and bulbar domains and is performed after all other study assessments (excluding patient-reported outcomes). The CGI-C is expected to track consistently with prior CGI-S evaluations, reflecting changes in disease status over time.

OTHER

Patient Global Impression of severity (PGI-S)

The PGI-S (Patient Global Impression of Severity) is a simple, validated, single-item self-administered scale used to assess the current severity of a patient's condition. Widely used in clinical trials, it allows patients to rate their condition, on a 4- to 6-point scale (from 'Normal' to 'Very severe').

DEVICE

Syde

Syde is an innovative device intended to be used in a home-based environment. It is composed of two watch-like sensors, each containing a magneto-inertial sensors that record the linear acceleration, the angular velocity, the magnetic field of the movement in all directions.The two watches can be worn as wristwatch or placed near the ankle.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle

  collaborator OTHER

• SYSNAV

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Laurent Servais, MD · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-07-30

Primary Completion

2029-06-30

Completion

2030-04-30

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations