Active clinical trials for "Neuromuscular Diseases"

In the last 10-15 years, a better understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular genetics of SMA has led to the emergence of previously unavailable pharmacological and genetic treatments.One of these new treatments, Nusinersen, targets SMN2, which is a slightly different copy of SMN1, and increases SMN protein levels. Preclinical studies have provided evidence that neuroprotection is strongly formed, with exercise significantly increasing motor neuron survival independent of SMN expression. In a limited number of clinical studies prior to Nusinersen treatment, it was reported that aerobic exercise training improved maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) without causing muscle damage, but still caused fatigue. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aerobic exercise training on motor and respiratory functions, exercise capacity, fatigue and quality of life in SMA Type III patients who can walk and receive Nusinersen therapy. Twenty cases aged 10-50 years with genetically confirmed SMA diagnosis will be included in this study. The cases to be included in the study will be randomized into 2 groups as the training and control groups. In addition to the routine physiotherapy program, medium-intensity Aerobic Exercise Training will be given to the study group for 12 weeks. Before and 12 weeks after the training, the cases will be evaluated with the Six Minute Walking Test, Submaximal Exercise Test, SMN protein level, function and strength assessments, (FVC) value, fatigue and quality of life scales. In clinical trials, the supporting evidence for aerobic interventions in SMA is limited. Additional studies on aerobic intervention parameters (frequency, intensity and duration) are needed.The results of this study will determine the feasibility of aerobic exercise training and provide important guidance for the clinical management of SMA patients.

HOPE-3 is a two cohort, Phase 3, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of a cell therapy called CAP-1002 in study participants with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and impaired skeletal muscle function. Non-ambulatory and ambulatory boys and young men who meet eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to receive either CAP-1002 or placebo every 3 months for a total of 4 doses during the first 12-months of the study. All participants will be eligible to receive 4 doses of CAP-1002 for an additional 12 months as part of an open-label extended assessment period.

Our study is a randomized controlled study and the subjects included in the study will be divided into three groups as virtual reality training, biofeedback training, and conventional rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of using intelligent volume assured pressure support (iVAPS-AE) versus spontaneous timed (ST) modes of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The investigators believe that the use of iVAPS-AE mode NIV over a 90 day period will produce NIV compliance data and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores that are equivalent or no worse compared to ST mode NIV.

Patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD) can suffer from a range of respiratory problems due to respiratory muscle weakness. Cough muscle weakness means secretion clearance from the airways can be problematic, a source of infection, and importantly a cause of death, in this patient group. Therefore, these patients are often supported with devices to aid clearance, such as mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MIE). Although evidence supports the use of these devices, the optimal technique or settings on the device are not clear. Increasingly, higher pressures are used during MIE and recent work has demonstrated that there may be a physiological benefit to this. However, higher pressures increase the risk of causing lung collapse and may cause detriment to blood flow back to the heart, which is important as NMD patients frequently have concurrent heart muscle weakness. Further, recent work has demonstrated that higher pressures can cause closure of the throat, which is counter-productive in secretion clearance. The overall aim of this study is to investigate methods to manipulate MIE to improve secretion clearance in patients with NMD. The questions it seeks to answer are: (i) how can we maximally improve lung recruitment during inspiration, whilst maintaining patient comfort and lower pressures (ii) what is the smallest pressure difference required in expiration to achieve an improvement in cough (iii) do these proposed changes to MIE also cause throat closure (iv) what factors do patients believe contribute to their adherence to MIE therapy? Patients with slowly progressive or stable neuromuscular diseases will be included in the study. Participation will involve two visits to the Lane Fox Respiratory Unit, each lasting approximately four hours. Patients will be recruited from specialist neuromuscular respiratory clinics by their clinical teams.

Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) is an established treatment to manage respiratory muscles dysfunction in neuromuscular disease, preventing the progression of respiratory failure to intubation and/or a tracheotomy. NIV is commonly needed at first during the night, but when the disease worsens, it is required during the day. It is provided via nasal or oronasal masks, causing discomfort and/or aesthetic issues that result in poor compliance. Intermittent Abdominal Pressure Ventilation (IAPV) is a valid, though unconventional, alternative to daytime NIV: it consists of a portable ventilator with an internal battery and a corset as interface. The IAPV corset is lightweight, comfortable and, thanks to velcro fasteners, easier and better fitting than a face mask. Cyclical inflation of a rubber bladder inside the corset moves the diaphragm upwards like a pneumobelt causing air to enter in the lungs via the upper airways as gravity draws the diaphragm back to its resting position. IAPV is indicated in neuromuscular disease and has already been tested in few preliminary studies and case reports. This study wants to verify the hypothesis of its application in population of neuromuscular patients.

In a randomized cross-over design, two different modes of a mechanical insufflator/exsufflator applied to pediatric subjects with neuromuscular disease will be compared with respect to their short term effect on lung function, i.e. lung volume.

Respiratory muscle testing allows a quantitative assessment of inspiratory and expiratory muscles in children of any age with primary or secondary respiratory muscle impairment, in order to better understand the pathophysiology of respiratory impairment and guide therapeutic management. The use of an invasive technique (esogastric probe) makes it possible to specifically explore the diaphragm, the accessory inspiratory muscles and the expiratory muscles in order to detect dysfunction or paralysis of these muscles, and to estimate the work of breathing in order to better guide the respiratory management. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the respiratory effort in children with primary or secondary impairment of the respiratory muscles during spontaneous breathing or during mechanical ventilation.

The study will be a non-randomized open label pilot study using an observational design comparing a retrospective control period to an active treatment period with oscillation and lung expansion (OLE) therapy.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) on the swallowing, breathing, oral intake, quality of life and cough function of people with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).