Correlations Between Muscle Group Strengths and Basic Functional Abilities in Inclusion Body Myositis: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Yuki Kondo Kanto Gakuin University, Japan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8934-4982
  • Keisuke Yorimoto National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
  • Kyota Bando National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
  • Takuya Watabe Matsumoto Medical Center
  • Kyoko Todoroki National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
  • Hotake Takizawa National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
  • Yuji Takahashi National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
  • Takatoshi Hara National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/rrnmf.v7i2_2026.25411

Keywords:

gait, muscle strength dynamometer, Inclusion Body Myositis

Abstract

Background: We aimed to examine the correlation between lower-extremity muscle strength and the ability to perform basic functional activities in individuals with inclusion body myositis (IBM).

Methods: We examined how muscle strength correlates with basic functional abilities in 18 participants with IBM. Isometric strength across seven muscle groups was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Functional performance was assessed through gait, standing-up, and stair-negotiation abilities.

Results: Gait ability was associated with strength in hip flexion, hip extension, hip abduction, and knee flexion. Standing-up ability correlated with knee extension strength. No notable correlation existed between muscle strength and stair-climbing ability. All participants relied on upper limb support during stair descent.

Conclusions: Participants possibly employed compensatory strategies, engaging hip and knee flexor muscles for walking support; standing up appeared to depend on knee extension strength. These insights support focused rehabilitation targeting specific muscle groups and improved clinical assessments to preserve function in IBM.

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Published

2026-09-14

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026)

Section

New Discoveries and Original Research

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Yuki Kondo, Keisuke Yorimoto, Kyota Bando, Takuya Watabe, Kyoko Todoroki, Hotake Takizawa, Yuji Takahashi, Takatoshi Hara

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Kondo, Y., Yorimoto, K., Bando, K., Watabe, T., Todoroki, K., Takizawa, H., Takahashi, Y., & Hara, T. (2026). Correlations Between Muscle Group Strengths and Basic Functional Abilities in Inclusion Body Myositis: A Pilot Study. RRNMF Neuromuscular Journal, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.17161/rrnmf.v7i2_2026.25411