Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2008 , Vol 54 , Num 3

Electromyographic Measurement of Muscle Relaxation Time in Myotonia: Effect of Rehabilitation Program on Muscle Relaxation Time in a Myotonic Dystrophy Case

Gönen Mengi Özsaraç 1 ,Zeynep Erdoğan 1 ,Mehmet Beyazova 2
1 Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
2 Gazi Üniversitesi Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye

Myotonic dystrophy is a rare muscle disease. Since medical treatment is limited for this disease, rehabilitation interventions  have become important. However, the benefits of rehabilitative interventions are controversial. This case report discusses the effects of rehabilitation on the muscle relaxation time and other functional parameters of a 33-year-old woman with myotonic dystrophy. A rehabilitation program of 21 sessions was conducted. Muscle relaxation time of the patient was evaluated electromyographically before and after rehabilitation program, and functional evaluations were performed. No significant changes were detected in the relaxation time or functional measures following after a rehabilitation program of three weeks. However, the  peak torque values of knee muscles increased.

Keywords : Myotonic dystrophy, rehabilitation, muscle relaxation time