Benefit of 6 months long-term physical training in polymyositis/dermatomyositis patients

Objective. The benefit of long-term physical training in patients with chro nic polymyositis or dermatomyositis (PM/DM) was studied prospectively. Methods. Eight patients with chronic PM/DM participated in a training progr amme for 6 months. A group of five PM/DM patients without any physical trai ning was observed for control purposes. Results. While there was no significant change in serum creatine phosphokin ase (CPK) levels, the 'activities of daily living (ADL)' score improved sig nificantly (P < 0.03), peak isometric torque (PIT) generated by muscle grou ps in the lower extremities rose significantly (P < 0.03) and there was a s tatistically highly significant increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) r elative to body weight (P < 0.02) due to the long-term training. The patien ts improved their aerobic capacity by 28%, which is clinically significant. Tn the untrained patients, no improvement in these target parameters was o bserved. Conclusion. In clinically stable DM/PM patients, long-term physical trainin g can safely be performed and is recommended as part of a comprehensive reh abilitation management, particularly in view of the cardiopulmonary risk in these patients.