Study of the Effects Strengthening Exercises in Individuals With ALS
Completed · Phase 2
Conditions studied: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
In brief
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease MND) among adults. Motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebral motor cortex degenerate and create a variety of upper (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) clinical signs and symptoms, with the most frequently presenting symptom being focal weakness beginning in the leg, arm, or bulbar muscles, occurring in more than 70% of patients. Despite the high incidence of muscle weakness in patients with ALS, only two case studies evaluating the effects of specific muscle strengthening and endurance exercise programs in this patient population have been published, and the effects of resistive exercise programs in patients with ALS have not been well studied. Some have discouraged exercise programs in patients with ALS because of fear of overuse weakness. Yet, in patients with other neuromuscular diseases, resistive exercise programs have been shown to be beneficial and have not produced overuse weakness. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of six months strengthening program on strength, function, fatigue and quality of life in individuals with ALS.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00204464
- Run by
- University of Saskatchewan
- People needed
- 40
- Expected to finish
- 2004-12-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2005-11-04
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- definite and/or probable diagnosis of ALS
- early stages of the disease
You may not qualify if…
- history of neuromuscular dysfunction not related to ALS
- active, confounding medical conditions
- unwillingness or inability to comply with the protocol
- FVC of less than 90% predicted
- ALSFRS score of less than 30
Where it is running
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation — Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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