Introduction: There is a lack of evidence about the usefulness of exercise or rest in myasthenia gravis (MG). This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of exercise or rest in MG.
Methods: In a single-center open-labeled randomized controlled trial, the patients with mild to moderate MG were randomized to 30-min walk or rest in addition to the standard treatment. The primary endpoint was 50% improvement in the MG Quality of Life (MG-QOL15), and secondary endpoints were change in the Myasthenic Muscle Score (MMS), MG Activities of Daily Living (MGADL), grip strength, dose of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor and prednisone, 6-min walk test (6MWT), decrement in trapezius on the low-rate repetitive nerve stimulation test, and adverse events. The outcomes were defined at 3 months, by >50% improvement in these outcome parameters.
Results: Forty patients with MG were randomized to the exercise or rest arm. The 2 arms were matched for demographic and clinical parameters. The patients in the exercise arm had significantly better QOL evidenced by MG-QOL15 (p = 0.02). The secondary endpoints, distance covered in 6MWT (p = 0.007), were also better in the exercise arm without any adverse event.
Conclusion: Regular exercise for 30 min in mild and moderate MG improves quality of life and walking distance compared to rest and is safe.
Clinical trial registration: The clinical trial registration number is CTRI/2019/11/021869.
Keywords: Exercise; Fatigue; Myasthenia gravis; Myopathy; Neuromuscular junction disorder; Quality of life; Randomized controlled trial.
© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.