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Polymyositis patients improved symptoms with exercise program
Patients with polymyositis improved muscle function, aerobic condition and quality of life after participating in an aerobic and strength training program, according to recent study results.
Researchers in Brazil studied three patients with persistent active polymyositis (mean age, 41.3 years; two men) who participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program. Patients’ medication treatment included methylprednisolone, methotrexate, azathioprine and cyclosporine. The twice-weekly program included 40 minutes of strength training, 40 minutes of aerobic exercises and warm-up and stretching exercises. Before and after each session, serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and adolase were measured.
Patients showed improvements in selected parameters of muscle function and aerobic conditioning after the program. The Short Form (36) Health Survey and Heath Assessment Questionnaire measured an overall improvement in quality of life. CK and adolase serum levels did not increase due to exercise.
“A combined aerobic and strength training program may be tolerable and potentially effective in improving selected parameters and muscle function, aerobic conditioning and quality of life in patients with persistent active myositis,” the researchers concluded. “Exercise training can be a possible adjuvant treatment in persistent, active myositis. Larger studies and mechanistic studies are imperative to determine the effect and applicability of exercise as a treatment in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.