The Effect of Clinical Pilates and Aerobic Exercises on an Individual with Polymyositis: A Case Report

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of clinical pilates and aerobic exercises in an individual with polymyositis (PM). Method: A 57-year-old woman with PM was treated with a physiotherapy program (clinical pilates and aerobic exercises) in addition to her pharmacological treatment. Mobility was evaluated with timed up and go test, balance with one-leg standing test, aerobic capacity with Bruce Treadmill Test, lower extremity performance with chair-stand test and Lower Extremity Functional Scale, disability with Health Assessment Questionnaire, biopsychosocial status with Biopsychosocial Questionnaire and quality of life with Short Form-36 before and after treatment. The individual with PM was given 40 minutes of aerobic exercise at 55-80% of the maximum heart rate determined by the Bruce Treadmill Test protocol, and then clinical pilates exercises, 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Results: Although there was improvement in all evaluation parameters after treatment compared to before treatment, the highest improvement in percentage terms was 400% in the "Physical functioning" component of Short Form-36, 265.37% in one-leg standing test-right, 200% in the "Role limitations due to physical problems" component of Short Form-36, and 124.95% in one-leg standing test-left, respectively. Conclusion: After clinical pilates and aerobic exercises, an improvement was achieved in all parameters, especially in the physical function, limitations due to physical problems components of the quality of life and balance, without any worsening in the laboratory findings of the individual with PM.