Treadmill training in people affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single blind, controlled study

INTRODUCTION: Muscle strengthening, stretching or proprioceptive treatments may slow the symptoms progression in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy. Aim of the study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a treadmill training in CMT1A. METHODS: We planned a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single blind, controlled study. We recruited 53 outpatients affected by CMT1A and randomized them into two treatment groups: one underwent stretching and proprioceptive exercise (SPE), while the other was additionally treated with Treadmill training (TreSPE). Primary Outcome Measures (OM) were the walking evaluations, and secondary OM the balance assessment. All participants were assessed at baseline, after 3 months of treatment and after 6 months. RESULTS: Most people showed an improvement in at least one OM at T1 (42/47; 89.4%) and T2 (38/40; 95%). No adverse events were reported in both groups. DISCUSSION: The most important finding is that both SPE and treadmill training had an objective benefit on people affected by CMT, without causing overwork weakness. We had a low rate of drop out and we did not find deterioration in motor performances. Our results also confirm that applying Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) methods to the rehabilitative research is the correct way to test the efficacy of a treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.