Experiences and perceptions of IBD-related psychological distress in persons living with IBD.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-chromosome-linked muscle disease that affects individuals assigned male at birth.[] DMD arises from mutations in the dystrophin gene (gene ID: DMD), resulting in the absence of a functional dystrophin protein. Dystrophin is a critical component of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC).[] The DAPC helps maintain calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis within skeletal and cardiac muscle fibers through mechanical and signaling roles.[] Specifically, the DAPC is essential for enabling muscle fibers to withstand shear stress at the plasma membrane (i.e., shearing that occurs between the contractile apparatus, plasma membrane, and extracellular matrix) during muscular contractions (especially eccentric contractions) and tensile strain.[] The absence of functional dystrophin results in increased permeability of muscle fiber plasma membranes to calcium ions (Ca2+), cellular stress in muscle fibers, and subsequent death, leading to the progressive degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue. The tissue-level changes severely limit physical activity and functional independence in activities of daily living and ultimately lead to premature death around the age of 20 years.[] An overview of pathophysiology and the current standard of care for DMD, and our study aim are presented in . An overview of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and our study aim. (a-d) Mutations in the dystrophin gene (DMD gene) on the X chromosome cause a loss of functional dystrophin protein. This affects the dystrophin-associated protein complex, leading to increased plasma membrane permeability, calcium ion dysregulation, chronic cellular stress, and the death of striated muscle fibers. (e-h) DMD causes progressive muscle fiber death and loss, along with replacement of muscle fibers with fibrous and fat tissue. Progressive weakness occurs in muscles of the limbs and trunk (affects mobility), the diaphragm (affects breathing), and the myocardium (affects heart function). (i) A summary of the clinical progression of DMD, from subtle early signs to loss of ambulation and eventual respiratory and/or cardiac failure. (j) Current standard care for DMD includes rehabilitation and steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. (k) We performed a scoping review on yoga as an adjunctive intervention to standard care in individuals with DMD. Image created in DMD disease progression and associated impairments are only minimally controlled by medications, such as glucocorticoids (also known as steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or steroids),[] rehabilitative therapies,[] and respiratory hygiene.[] The limited options available in medical care may lead patients and caregivers to seek treatments classified as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies.[] Surveys indicate that 70%–80% of individuals with DMD and their caregivers explore CAM therapies, such as yoga, to address the multifaceted challenges of the disease.[] Yoga is a mind–body practice that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation and has demonstrated potential benefits in enhancing mobility, cardiovascular function, and respiratory efficiency in both healthy individuals and those with various health conditions.[] Given the promising outcomes observed when yoga interventions have been implemented for various health conditions, it is justified to ask whether a yoga intervention could offer similar benefits to individuals with DMD. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reviews of the published literature on yoga’s safety and efficacy for individuals with DMD. We therefore chose to address this knowledge gap by performing a scoping review of the existing evidence on the potential benefits of yoga for individuals with DMD, with the eventual goal of performing a systematic review and meta-analysis if sufficient evidence was found ().