Diaphragm Training (DT) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Rachel Nardin, MD and Elizabeth Raynor, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts

Status:
Study Complete

>> See PubMed for further information

Hypothesis:

To test a potential treatment and symptom reduction for the respiratory dysfunction which occurs in some people living with ALS. Investigators studied whether this specific breathing technique can improve survival for patients as well. If DT is effective, it will be feasible to make it available to all patients with ALS either through instructional videotapes provided at cost or by offering video and/or print training to speech therapists at other institutions.  This study is also significant because if DT can improve respiration in ALS, this technique may be beneficial in other neuromuscular disorders causing respiratory dysfunction.

Aim:

To demonstrate a technique of breath control, called diaphragm training, that will improve respiratory function and quality of life in patients with ALS over a twelve-week period. The long-term objective is to study whether DT can slow respiratory decline and improve survival in this progressive disease.