Keywords
Glucocorticoids
Physical Therapy
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze scientific evidence regarding the effects of corticosteroid therapy and physiotherapy interventions on the functional outcomes of individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Methods: This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, PEDro, and Cochrane Library databases, between 2020 and 2026, using descriptors related to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, glucocorticoids, and physiotherapy, combined with Boolean operators. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected, resulting in a final sample of 10 articles. Results: The literature shows that corticosteroid therapy acts as the primary pharmacological intervention, being associated with slowing functional decline and preserving motor function. Physiotherapy interventions demonstrate benefits in maintaining mobility, preventing contractures, and improving functional performance. However, methodological heterogeneity is observed among the studies, hindering direct comparability of results and highlighting a predominance of indirect analyses regarding the joint evaluation of these approaches. Final considerations: Both corticosteroid therapy and physiotherapy interventions show positive effects on the functional outcomes of individuals with the disease. However, the literature remains limited regarding the direct evaluation of their combined effects, necessitating more robust clinical studies.
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