Development of the Accredited Duchenne Centers Program, a Global Program to Achieve Uniform and Up-to-date Care for All People Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Nowadays it is common that a center specialized in a disease or type of diseases achieves an accreditation if they work according to the standards developed by the field. We developed an accreditation program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy specifically focussing on the care. We often hear the comment that centers state they are already accredited by a different organization. In this commentary we like to elucidate that there is a difference between all these accreditations. It depends on what the center wants when it applies for a specific type of accreditation.
DOI: 10.29245/2767-5122/2025/3.1165 View / Download PdfDynamic Overground Body Weight-Supported Gait Rehabilitation in a Mechanically Ventilated Patient
Objective: Sufficient patient mobilization can be difficult to achieve with mechanical ventilation during a patient’s hospital stay. This case report describes the novel use of overground dynamic body weight-supported (DBWS) gait and balance training in a mechanically ventilated patient. Feasibility and safety of the device are demonstrated for this case, and the patient’s recovery trajectory and outcomes are described.
Methods (Case Description): A 68-year-old female admitted to inpatient rehabilitation following a prolonged hospital stay received dynamic body weight-supported gait and balance training while mechanically ventilated. DBWS gait and balance training session parameters were tracked and functional outcomes assessed at regular intervals.
Results: DBWS gait training was well-tolerated; the patient demonstrated immediate carryover to overground ambulation and improved endurance following several sessions. Patient progression warranted changes to the type and duration of DBWS training activities across sessions, all of which were well-accommodated by the DBWS system.
Conclusion: Dynamic body weight support-based training was a safe, effective means of engaging this mechanically ventilated patient in overground gait training during her inpatient rehabilitation stay. Specific guidelines and precautions can ensure that each patient is a good match for this modality before initiating therapy sessions. In addition, patients should be continuously reassessed, and adjustments made as therapy progresses.
Impact: To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe the use of overground DBWS gait training in a mechanically ventilated patient, with demonstrated feasibility, safety, and functional outcome improvement. It also provides clinical guidance for patient selection and overground gait training therapy sessions.
DOI: 10.29245/2767-5122/2025/3.1164 View / Download Pdf