Trial Testing Diaphragm Stimulation in ALS

A new, 100-person trial to test the effects on respiratory function of electrically stimulating the diaphragm in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is now under way at several centers.

Raymond Onders at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and colleagues say they’ve now implanted electrodes in the diaphragm muscles of 14 people with ALS and found the strategy slows the decline of respiratory function and delays the need for tracheostomy.

For the new study, the team is seeking 100 people with ALS who have a forced vital capacity (respiratory test) of 50 percent to 85 percent of normal at the time of screening, don’t have impaired decision-making ability, aren’t markedly overweight, and meet other criteria.

For more information, contact Mary Jo Elmo at Case Western at (216) 844-8594 or maryjo.elmo@uhhs.com; and/or see Diaphragm Conditioning With Motor Point Stimulation.