Impact of a 12-week Strength Training Program on Fatigue, Daytime Sleepiness, and Apathy in Men with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gallais, Benjamin^{a; b; c; *} | Roussel, Marie-Pier^{b; c; d} | Laberge, Luc^{a; b; c} | Hébert, Luc J.^{b; e; f} | Duchesne, Elise^{b; c; g}

Affiliations: [a] ÉCOBES – Recherche et transfert, Cégep de Jonquière, Saguenay, QC, Canada | [b] Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les maladies neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean, Saguenay, QC, Canada | [c] Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne (CRCLM), Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Site Saguenay, Saguenay, QC, Canada | [d] Département des sciences fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada | [e] Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Québec, QC, Canada | [f] Départements de réadaptation et de radiologie et médecine nucléaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada | [g] Unité d’enseignement en physiothérapie, département des sciences de la santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Benjamin Gallais, Psy, Ph.D., ÉCOBES –Recherche et transfert, Cégep de Jonquière, 2505, rue Saint-Hubert, Jonquière, QC, G7X 7W2, Canada. Tel.: +1 418 547 2191/#6489; E-mail: benjamingallais@cegepjonquiere.ca.

Abstract: Background:Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic neuromuscular disorder causing a plea of impairments, of which fatigue and apathy are some of the most frequent non-muscular symptoms. No curative treatment exists to date, and patients only have access to limited effective care, which are intended to decrease the burden of specific symptoms in daily life. Objective:This study aimed to assess whether a 12-week strength training program has an impact on fatigue/daytime sleepiness, apathy, and disease bruden in men with DM1. Methods:Eleven participants completed the Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Scale (FDSS) and the Myotonic Dystrophy Health Index (MDHI) at baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks, and at 6 and 9 months. Also, the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) was filled out at baseline, at 12 weeks, and at 6 and 9 months. Results:Results show significant effects of the training program both on apathy and fatigue/daytime sleepiness, effects that are respectively greater at three and six months after the end of the program than at its very end. However, no difference was observed regarding the overall disease burden. Conclusion:These findings are promising for patients with DM1 considering that few non-pharmacological treatments are available.

Keywords: Myotonic dystrophy, strength training, fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, apathy

DOI: 10.3233/JND-221503

Journal: Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 629-639, 2022