Respiratory Strength Training in Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-02-07
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Dysphagia (swallow impairment), dystussia (cough impairment) and respiratory impairment are
hallmark features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These symptoms are the cause of
fatal aspiration, malnutrition and respiratory insufficiency that together account for 91.4%
of ALS mortality. Unfortunately, treatments to prolong and maintain these vital functions are
currently lacking. Although the use of exercise in ALS is controversial, recent evidence
suggests that mild to moderate intensity exercise applied early in the disease slows disease
progression, improves motor function, preserves motor neuron number, reduces muscle
hypoplasia, atrophy astrogliosis, and prolongs survival in animal models of ALS and human
clinical trials.
This research study is designed to determine the impact of respiratory strength training on
breathing, airway protection and swallowing in persons with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS).