title: Benefits of intensive resistance training in patients with chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the benefits and safety of an intensive muscular training program in patients with chronic polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with chronic PM or DM (median age 53 years, range 44-61) were included. Assessments of impairment (10-15 voluntary repetition maximum [VRM], the Functional Index 2 [FI-2], the Grippit, and pain rated on the Borg CR-10 scale), activity limitation (Myositis Activities Profile), and participation restriction (patients' disease impact on well-being) were performed 4 weeks prior to baseline, at baseline, and after 7 weeks of exercise. A 6-item core set of disease activity measures was administered and muscle biopsy samples of vastus lateralis were obtained at baseline and after 7 weeks of exercise. Response criteria at an individual level were set for disability and disease activity. The patients exercised 3 days per week for 7 weeks on loads allowing 10 VRM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On a group level there were no significant differences between assessments at 4 weeks before baseline compared with baseline. The group improved significantly regarding 10-15 VRM and FI-2 at 7 weeks compared with baseline (P < 0.05). All patients were responders with respect to impairment and 2 were activity limitation responders whereas participation restriction remained unchanged in all. Two patients were responders with reduced disease activity and no patient had signs of increased muscle inflammation in the muscle biopsy sample after 7 weeks of exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with chronic, stable PM and DM can perform this intensive resistive exercise program with beneficial effects on impairment and activity limitation without increased muscle inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. helene.alexanderson@karolinska.se
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alexanderson
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dastmalchi
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esbjörnsson-Liljedahl
authors.forename: Christina H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Opava
authors.forename: Ingrid E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Lundberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014891:Weight Lifting