Compliance to exercise during the 2-year followup in the exercise group.
| Case | Sex, F/M, (age), yrs | DX, PM/DM | DX, Duration, mos | 0–12 Wks Home Exercise, % of 60 | 0–12 Wks, Walks, % of 60 | 12–24 Wks, Exercise/Walks per Wk, n | 24–104 Wks, Exercise/Walks per Wk, n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F (53) | PM | 4# | 73a,c,d | 87 | 1/3 | 0/4 |
| 2 | M (61) | PM | 1 | 30b | 100 | 2/3 | 0/4 |
| 3 | F (44) | DM | 3 | 100b | 100 | 2/7 | 2/7 |
| 4e | F (41) | DM | 5# | 66a,c | 0 | 0/0 | — |
| 5 | F (74) | PM | 2 | 92a | 90 | 3/5 | 3/7 |
| 6 | F (65) | DM | 2 | 75a | 67 | 1–2/5 | 2/5 |
| 7 | F (50) | DM | 2 | 100b | 100 | 1/7 | 0/7f |
| 8g | F (62) | DM | 3 | 70a,c,h | 65 | 0/0 | — |
| 9 | F (23) | PM | 1.5 | 100b | 100 | 2/6 | 2/6 |
| 10 | F (60) | PM | 1 | 87b | 98 | 1/7 | 1/7 |
↵a = performed the easy-intensity home exercise program.
↵b = performed the moderate-intensity home exercise program.
↵c = divided each home exercise session in 2 halves.
↵d = could not exercise for the first 2 weeks because of nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain;
↵e = died before 24-week followup from fast-progressing alveolitis;
↵f = had a mild relapse with slightly increased disease activity at 36 weeks;
↵g = died before 24-week followup from ovarian cancer;
↵h = did not exercise for about 2 weeks because of hospitalization for severe skin rash infection.
↵# = Slow response to glucocorticoid treatment with no clinical signs of improvement during the first 3 months. Patients were included when they perceived clinical improvement. DX: diagnosis; PM: polymyositis; DM: dermatomyositis; % of 60: % of maximal 60 sessions during 12 weeks