Fatigue in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Dysphagia, Dyspnea
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of ALS defined as possible, probable, or definite by a neurologist using the El Escorial criteria
- FVC>65% predicted
- adequate cognition as defined by a score of >10 on the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen
- adequate labial seal for completing pulmonary function tests and expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
- on a regular/thin liquid diet
- no allergies to barium
- not oxygen-dependent
- no tracheostomy/ mechanical ventilation
- no history of other neurological or respiratory disorders
- no history of smoking
- no history of head and neck cancer or other major head/neck surgery or radiation therapy.
Exclusion Criteria:
- FVC<65% predicted
- inadequate cognition as defined by a score of <10 on the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen -inadequate labial seal for completing pulmonary function tests and expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
- not on a regular/thin liquid diet
- allergies to barium
- oxygen-dependent
- presence of tracheostomy/dependent on mechanical ventilation
- history of other neurological or respiratory disorders
- history of smoking
- history of head and neck cancer or other major head/neck surgery or radiation therapy.
Sites / Locations
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental, then sham
Sham, then experimental
Patients with ALS in the experimental, then sham arm will undergo an expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) session with a device set to 50% of patients with ALS' highest maximum expiratory pressure from their baseline pulmonary function test assessment during their first study visit. Then, during their second study visit, patients with ALS will undergo an EMST session with a device set to 0% resistance.
Patients with ALS in the sham, then experimental arm will undergo an expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) session with a device set to 0% resistance during their first study visit. Then, during their second study visit, patients with ALS will undergo an EMST session with a device set to 50% of patients with ALS' highest maximum expiratory pressure from their baseline pulmonary function test assessment.