OBJECTIVE: Evaluate muscle force and motor function in patients with Duchenne 
muscular dystrophy (DMD) in a period of six months.
METHOD: Twenty children and adolescents with diagnosis of DMD were evaluated 
trough: measurement of the strength of the flexors and extensors of the 
shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle through the Medical Research Council 
(MRC), and application of the Motor Function Measure (MFM). The patients were 
evaluated twice within a six-month interval.
RESULTS: Loss of muscle strength was identified in the MRC score for upper 
proximal members (t=-2.17, p=0.04). In the MFM, it was noted significant loss in 
the dimension 1 (t=-3.06, p=0.006). Moderate and strong correlations were found 
between the scores for muscular strength and the MFM dimensions.
CONCLUSION: The MFM scale was a useful instrument in the follow up of patients 
with DMD. Moreover, it is a more comprehensive scale to assess patients and very 
good for conducting trials to evaluate treatment.