Impact of a home-based activity and dietary intervention in people with slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases.

Objective: To determine whether a home-based activity and dietary intervention can increase activity level, reduce caloric intake, and impact positively components of metabolic syndrome in a disabled population.

Design: Testing occurred at 3 points during the 6-month intervention period (baseline, 3mo, 6mo) and at 6 months postintervention. Each test point included laboratory testing of anthropometric and metabolic variables and 3 days of home-based activity and dietary monitoring.

Metabolic syndrome in neuromuscular disease.

Objectives: To test the hypotheses that (1) people with neuromuscular disease (NMD) have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and (2) these risk factors worsen over time.

Design: Longitudinal testing with average 2.5-year follow-up.