Observational Prolonged Trial in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (OPTIMISTIC)

Background DM1 is a rare, inherited, progressive disease as well as an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder. It is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy, with a prevalence of approximately 10 per 100,000 people affected. With 733 million people in Europe, we estimate that 75,000 people are DM1 patients in Europe. Typical symptoms of the disease include progressive muscle weakness and wasting from distal to proximal, ptosis, weakness of facial, jaw and anterior neck muscles, myotonia, daytime sleepiness, fatigue and cataract. Other symptoms of adult DM1 include cardiac conduction defects, as well as endocrine, gastrointestinal and cognitive dysfunction. DM1 is one of the most variable human diseases, has complex, multisystemic and progressively worsening clinical manifestations and leads to severe physical impairment, restricted social participation and premature death.

There is no pharmaceutical treatment for causal or symptomatic relief of DM1 core symptoms (with the exception of Modafinil for excessive daytime sleepiness). Thus the aim of treatment is to relieve impairments, reduce limitations and optimise participation. Physical activity has been acknowledged as an important factor for health in general. For patients with a slowly progressive neuromuscular disease, such as DM1, there is accumulating evidence for prescribing low-to-moderate-intensity strength and aerobic exercise training, and an active lifestyle. Nevertheless, recent reviews conclude that existing studies are limited in number and quality, and that there is a need for disease-specific, randomised, controlled trials investigating the effect on quality of life.

RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY It was demonstrated recently by an OPTIMISTIC research partner that severe fatigue, defined as a score equal to or higher than 35 on the subscale fatigue of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-fatigue), was reported by around 70% of patients with DM1. These severely fatigued patients had more problems with physical and social functioning as well as with their mental and general health than similar patients without severe fatigue. They also had more problems with concentration and planning. As such, experienced fatigue should be clearly distinguished from muscle weakness, which is probably the most common and characteristic symptom of DM1 and also of a lack of initiative (apathy) that is known to occur often in DM1.

In a longitudinal study, we built a model of perpetuating factors for fatigue in patients with DM1. It appeared that lack of physical activity, sleep disturbances and pain all contributed to experienced fatigue. In addition, loss of muscle strength and pain contributed to fatigue through a lower level of physical activity. Ultimately, experienced fatigue and physical activity both contributed to the level of societal participation. A lack of initiative further increased fatigue but also had a direct negative effect on societal participation. Thus, theoretically, in order to improve societal participation one should compensate for a reduced initiative, optimise physical activity and alleviate experienced fatigue. To alleviate fatigue one should address the fatigue maintaining factors identified by the model, e.g. experience of pain or sleep disorders.

The main rationale for the combination of CBT and physical activity is based on our DM1-specific model. The DM1-specific model shows that physical activity, experienced fatigue and lack of initiative are the main determinants of DM1 health status. OPTIMISTIC is the first model-based clinical trial in DM1. It evaluates the effect, and the maintenance of effects, of CBT combined with exercise training on the reduction of chronic fatigue in patients with DM1.

Importantly, the intervention will also involve caregivers where they are willing to take part. The disabilities associated with DM1 put considerable strain on caregivers and can also lead to a negative interaction with the patient. The intervention will aim to support caregivers by installing realistic expectations about what can be expected from the patient, teach caregivers how to help patients to stay as self-reliant as possible and also reduce caregivers strain by taking time for themselves. If a DM1 patient has no caregiver or significant other, or no caregiver or significant other willing to take part in the study, the patient will not be excluded from the study. All patients will be asked if the study team could approach them to inform them for further research. This contact does not constitute consent.

** CMRI-substudy in People with DM1 People with DM1 are at high risk of developing a cardiac complication. However, it is not known whether the high prevalence of cardiac complications can be affected by a sedentary lifestyle. Given the high risk of cardiac complications and the possibility that becoming more physically active may help these complications, the University of Newcastle, will conduct a sub-study to perform Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI) in 40 eligible participants at baseline and at end of the intervention period to acquire the evidence upon which clinical judgement about the use of exercise as a clinical therapy that is safe, can be based.

Cardiac Magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) uses a combination of harmless radiofrequency (RF) waves and powerful magnets to cause hydrogen nuclei within the cardiac cell molecules to vibrate and emit RF energy. The MRI scanner detects the energy emissions and converts them to viewable images. When diseases begin, there are changes in the heart's tissue. Because even minor changes in tissue affect the rates at which energy is emitted, many medical conditions can be detected at their very early stages. MRI is done to evaluate the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels. MRI may provide information that cannot be obtained by other tests such as chest X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram, or nuclear tests.

The CMRI examinations will be performed with the contract enhancement gadolinium, in 40 eligible participants, 20 in each group. Participants will undergo:

1. cardiac cine imaging, to evaluate cardiac morphology
2. systolic and diastolic function and
3. cardiac tagging to evaluate wall motion and torsion.

MRI safety will be established prior to baseline and end of intervention scan. This includes; assessing for in vivo ferrous material, claustrophobia, abnormal renal function and pregnancy. The PI will assess renal function from the participant's medical notes at screening, if required a blood tests for U&Es will be requested. In addition, child-bearing potential female participants will consent to have urine pregnancy test performed.

For participants that have had a baseline CMRI and withdraw from the study prior to the end of the intervention period, will be invited to have an end of study CMRI if the period from their initial CMRI is greater than 3 months.

No further statistical review is required for the CMRI sub-study as only frequencies and associations will be assessed.