Document Detail


Can amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with respiratory insufficiency exercise?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10540010     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The authors have shown in a recent paper that survival with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be increased by the use of non-invasive methods of assisted ventilation (Bipap). However, the progression of muscle weakness was not affected and the quality of life was not positively enhanced. In ALS, reduced physical activity may partially be secondary to alveolar hypoventilation syndrome. This leads to deconditioning of ALS/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) patients. The authors decided to investigate the possibility of reducing motor decline by exercising these patients to the anaerobic threshold, but simultaneously compensating the respiratory insufficiency with the Bipap STD. We conducted a controlled single blind study, exercising eight consecutive ALS/MND patients and used a control group of 12 ALS/MND patients. The patients were all evaluated during a 1 year period. Respiratory function tests (RFT) were performed at entry and then at 6 month intervals. Barthel, Functional Independent Mobility scale (FIM) and Spinal and Bulbar Norris scores were recorded every 3 months. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to FIM scores (P<0.03), but not Barthel scores (P<0.8). A slower clinical course (Spinal Norris score P<0.02) and a significant difference in the slope of the RFT (P<0.008) were observed in the treated group, suggesting that exercise may be beneficial in ALS patients once Bipap is used to control peripheral and muscle oxygenation.
Authors:
A C Pinto; M Alves; A Nogueira; T Evangelista; J Carvalho; A Coelho; M de Carvalho; M L Sales-Luís
Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Controlled Clinical Trial; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the neurological sciences     Volume:  169     ISSN:  0022-510X     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Neurol. Sci.     Publication Date:  1999 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-12-02     Completed Date:  1999-12-02     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375403     Medline TA:  J Neurol Sci     Country:  NETHERLANDS    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  69-75     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Hospital de Santa Maria, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1600, Lisboa, Portugal. jsanches.apinto@mail.telepac.pt
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis*
Exercise / physiology*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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