• Nezhad FF
• Daryabor A
• Abedi M
• Smith JH

• Affiliation / North Dakota State University. Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science
• Affiliation / Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. School of Rehabilitation
• Affiliation / Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. School of Rehabilitation. Department of Physiotherapy. Student Research Committee
• Affiliation / Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. School of Rehabilitation. Physiotherapy Research Centre
• Affiliation(G) / Iran / Tehran
• Affiliation(G) / United States / North Dakota / Fargo
• Neuromuscular Diseases
• Open Access Document
• Respiratory Therapy

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the effect of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS)/Vojta on respiratory complications of neuromuscular diseases.

Methods: The search strategy was conducted, based on the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome method, in the PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, ProQuest, and Scopus databases from inception to August 2021. The quality assessment of included papers was performed through the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. A narrative analysis was performed since a meta-analysis could not be conducted.

Results: A total of 7 papers were chosen for the final assessment. All studies, except 1, evaluated individuals with neurological disease. Three studies evaluated Vojta therapy effects, and 4 studies evaluated DNS effects on respiratory parameters. Although the studies had limitations in their methodology according to the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, 4 were identified as level 1 evidence. None of the studies reported any adverse effects of Vojta therapy or DNS on respiratory parameters. However, not enough clinical trials were found to examine the effect of DNS on respiratory disease.

Conclusion: Although the studies were weak in internal and external validity, this review suggests that Vojta therapy and DNS may influence respiratory parameters, such as blood gases, diaphragm movements, and functional respiratory parameters, in patients with neuromuscular diseases.

Author Keywords:  Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, DNS, Vojta, Respiratory, Neuromuscular

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