Muscle Properties, Gross Motor Performance, and Quality of Life in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

PURPOSETo explore muscle properties, gross motor performance, and quality of life (QoL) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) compared with controls and to assess relationships among these outcomes. METHODSA cross-sectional study of 24 children assessed muscle properties including: knee extension strength by dynamometry; vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscle thickness by ultrasonography; and VL and RF neuromuscular activation (rate of muscle activation [RoA]) by electromyography (EMG). Gross motor performance and QoL were assessed by standardized tests and questionnaires. RESULTSChildren with SCD had impaired knee extension strength, VL EMG RoA, gross motor performance, and QoL compared with children without SCD. Relationships among muscle properties, gross motor performance, and QoL were identified. CONCLUSIONSThese findings indicate that comprehensive muscle properties, gross motor performance, and QoL assessments should be considered to support and develop individualized physical therapy plans for children with SCD.