The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an active rehabilitation program on disability and quality of life of patients affected by dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are inflammatory disabling neuromuscular disorders. Despite partial benefit of pharmacological treatments, muscle strength, functional status and quality of life remain impaired. Although the use muscle exercises in (DM) and (PM) have been reported, its efficacy on disability and quality of life has not been proved.

Te aim of the study is to evaluate the benefit at mid term (12 months) of an active rehabilitation program administrated to patients affected by PM and DM.

Method: a 3 year prospective, multicentric, randomized controlled trial A program of 12 individual exercise sessions (3 per week during 4 weeks) is compared to conventional care. Patients are followed 12 month after the inclusion.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of Dermatomyositis ore polymyositis according to the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group
• functional impairment (an HAQ score greater than 0.5)
• stability of muscle impairment
• medical insurance

Exclusion Criteria:

• no recent inflammatory activity
• other chronic disease
• cognitive impairment
• patients who participated to a rehabilitation program before inclusion