Rehabilitation in Myasthenia Gravis

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Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized most commonly by antibodies to the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors, resulting in weakness exacerbated by repetitive movement. Research on safety and feasibility of structured exercise in MG patients is scarce. No consensus guidelines exist on recommended intensity, duration or optimal frequency of exercise sessions. At the same time, benefits of exercise are well established for patient with coronary artery disease. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs consistently show reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Whether the benefits of exercise in patients with comorbid MG and CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) outweigh the risks, remains unclear. To the best of our knowledge, no published reports on cardiac rehabilitation in patients with MG exist. Limited available studies on otherwise healthy MG patients yield conflicting results and provide little further guidance for a clinical exercise professional involved in the care of MG/CAD patients. Rahbek et al. reported no significant improvements in VO2 max or six-minute walk test results in MG patients following twenty aerobic training (AT) sessions.