What is the clinical effectiveness of hydrotherapy in maintaining physical function in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

INTERVENTION: Participants will be allocated on a ratio of 1:1 using simple randomisation with permuted blinded block size to: 1. Control group to receive optimised land‐based exercises (as defined by local community physiotherapy services and recorded by trial team) (n=20) 2. The intervention group will receive the same plus hydrotherapy (30 min, twice weekly, for 6 months: active assisted and/or passive stretching regime; simulated or real functional activities; sub‐maximal exercise) (n=20) Study participants will be assessed for key outcome measures at 3 time points: consent and screen 1 visit; baseline visit; 26 week visit. We will collect information on a number of outcomes relating to the feasibility of conducting the trial which will include interviews with participants. CONDITION: Topic: Children, Genetics; Subtopic: All Diagnoses, Genetics Research and Congenital Disorders (all subtopics); Disease: Genetics Research and Congenital Disorders, All Diseases ; Nervous System Diseases ; Muscular dystrophy PRIMARY OUTCOME: The feasibility of recruitment to the main trial SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Genetically or biopsy confirmed DMD 2. Age 7‐16 years 3. Established on glucocorticosteroids 4. North Star Ambulatory Assessment score 8‐34 (stable over 4 weeks) 5. Able to complete 10 metre walk (6 minute walk test)