Can amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with respiratory insufficiency exercise?

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.