Journal
MUSCLE & NERVE
Volume 59, Issue 1, Pages 40-46Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/mus.26292
Keywords
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; cough; EMST; exercise; expiratory muscle strength training; rehabilitation; swallowing
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Funding
- National Institutes of Child Health and Development [1R21 HDO75327]
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Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an in-home expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) program on pulmonary, swallow, and cough function in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods EMST was tested in a prospective, single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of 48 ALS individuals who completed 8 weeks of either active EMST (n = 24) or sham EMST (n = 24). The primary outcome to assess treatment efficacy was change in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Secondary outcomes included: cough spirometry; swallowing; forced vital capacity; and scoring on the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised. Results Treatment was well tolerated with 96% of patients completing the protocol. Significant differences in group change scores were noted for MEP and Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity scores (P < 0.02). No differences were noted for other secondary measures. Discussion This respiratory training program was well-tolerated and led to improvements in respiratory and bulbar function in ALS. Muscle Nerve 59:40-46, 2019
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