Effects of exercise therapy on polymyositis complicated by post-myocarditis cardiomyopathy: A case report

A 42-year-old woman with chronic polymyositis complicated by post-myocarditis cardiomyopathy underwent supervised and unsupervised exercise therapy with staged increases in intensity. Supervised exercise therapy, which included adopted standards for patients with heart failure, was performed for 6 months. After one month, unsupervised exercise therapy was commenced, in the form of 15 min walking, the duration of which was increased to 30 min after 2 months. Improvements in muscle strength, balance, gait velocity, and exercise tolerance were observed, with no exacerbation of myositis or heart failure. At 6 months, the level of physical activity reached that of an age-matched healthy person. With appropriate care to avoid exacerbation of heart failure and myositis, staged increases in the volume of supervised and unsupervised exercise therapy can safely and effectively maintain and improve physical capacity, exercise tolerance, and overall physical activity.