ALS and Airway Clearance (ALSAC) Therapy

The proposed project includes both the HFCWO and MIE and will capitalize on the specific goals of each therapy and address the problem as a whole rather than piece-meal. The HFCWO aims to mobilize the secretions to the pharynx to allow the patient to expel the secretions. However, many patients diagnosed with ALS are unable to expel the secretions due to atrophied expiratory muscles. The HFCWO device uses a small air compressor with a vest that wraps around the chest to induce airflows to pull secretions from the walls of the airways, thin the secretions and move them up the airways towards the larger airways and pharynx. The MIE, a noninvasive therapy, removes secretions in patients who have an ineffective cough because the peak cough flows are less than 270 L/min. This device applies a positive pressure to the airway and rapidly switches to a negative pressure applied to the airway. The rapid switch between the two types of pressure simulates a natural cough, thus assisting with expulsion of the secretions. Logically, the two mechanisms of action of these devices should work synergistically to produce effective airway clearance to keep the lungs clear, healthy and reduce the risk of infections from stagnant secretions. Respiratory infections are especially serious for patients with ALS because the patient is not able to recuperate from infections as quickly as a person without ALS. The objective is to determine if changing the use of existing respiratory therapy devices can improve the physical and psychosocial health and quality of life for patients diagnosed with ALS and caregivers.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 21 and above,
• Probable or definite ALS diagnosis,
• Peak Cough Flow of <160L/min or complain of issues clearing airway secretions
• Caregiver must also consent to participate

Exclusion criteria

• Current use of HFCWO or MIE
• Tracheostomy
• Congestive heart failure
• All contraindications for the HFCWO
• Head and/or neck injury that has not been stabilized;
• Active hemorrhage with hemodynamic instability;
• Uncontrolled hypertension;
• Active or recent gross hemoptysis; and
• All contraindications for the MIE
• History of bullous emphysema;
• Known susceptibility to pneumothorax;
• Pneumomediastinum; and
• Recent barotrauma
• Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) - suspected or diagnosed . FTD is a form of dementia found in about 20% of Familial ALS. This dementia interferes with the ability to follow commands and follow through with therapies due to forgetfulness.
• Patients not able to provide informed consent.