Evaluation of the Early Use of the Pressure Relaxer in the Respiratory Impairment of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare and serious neurodegenerative disease causing degeneration of motor neurons. . It leads to a progressive paralysis of the muscles involved in voluntary motricity. In France, its incidence is 2.5/100,000 inhabitants per year.

The death of patients is mainly caused by a progressive attack of the respiratory muscles. Indeed, the thorax is no longer actively mobilized to the maximum amplitude, it will lose its flexibility. A restrictive syndrome sets in followed by alveolar hypoventilation. Bronchial congestion may be concomitant.

Management is then based on non-invasive ventilation (NIV). This step, which is difficult for patients to accept psychologically, must be delayed as much as possible. However, to date, there are no precise recommendations on preventing the appearance of this restrictive syndrome and on slowing down the deterioration of lung function in patients.

The pressure relaxer (RLX) is an instrumental aid allowing on the one hand to mobilize the thorax thanks to hyper insufflations, and on the other hand to increase the effectiveness of the cough. The use of this device in physiotherapy is part of the HAS recommendations to promote decluttering.

However, we believe that RLX in patients with ALS, through the pulmonary alveolar recruitment it induces, could be relevant at an earlier phase, for the prevention of the decline in pulmonary functions: the restrictive syndrome, bronchial congestion and alveolar hypoventilation. So ultimately, the quality of life and survival of these patients would be improved.

It is in this context that this multicenter randomized controlled study RELAX'SLA takes place in order to evaluate the effects of the early use of the pressure relaxer on the respiratory impairment of patients with ALS.

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Key information

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Central Nervous System Diseases Metabolic Diseases Motor Neuron Disease Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Proteostasis Deficiencies Spinal Cord Diseases TDP-43 Proteinopathies

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Adult patient (over 18 years old) with a diagnosis of ALS,
- Patient who presents with an impairment of the strength of the inspiratory muscles corresponding to the degradation of the Measurement of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and/or of the inspiratory pressure during the maximum sniffle (SNIP):
Decrease in SNIP or MIP by 10% of previous values (measured at the last follow-up visit to the center in its standard care)
If it is his first consultation (no previous value) we will include patients if they have SNIP or MIP values <90% of the theoretical values provided by the spirometer measuring the pressures. The SNIPs and MIPs (+/-1 standard deviation) must be disturbed for inclusion of the patient.
Patient not yet using RLX for lung recruitment or Patient using RLX only as a decluttering aid.
Person affiliated or beneficiary of a social security scheme.
Free, informed and written consent signed by the participant and the investigator (at the latest on the day of inclusion and before any examination required by the research).

Exclusion criteria

Patient with advanced restrictive impairment = FVC<50% of theoretical values on inclusion
Patient with proven alveolar hypoventilation or treated with non-invasive ventilation
Patient already treated with RLX for pulmonary recruitment
Persons referred to in Articles L1121-5 to L1121-8 of the CSP (corresponding to all protected persons: pregnant woman, parturient, breastfeeding mother, person deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision, minor, and person making object of a legal protection measure: guardianship or curatorship)
Patient with a contraindication to the use of RLX (1):
Pneumothorax
Known intracranial hypertension
Hemodynamic instability
Facial or skull surgery <6 months
Tracheoesophageal fistula
Active bleeding
Untreated active tuberculosis
Rebellious Hiccup
the history of known emphysematous or bullous pathologies

Treatment and study plan

early use of intermittent positive pressure breathing

Device

standard care associated with daily and early use of intermittent positive pressure breathing

Primary outcomes

assess the early use of the intermittent positive pressure breathing combined with standard management slows down the deterioration of lung volumes in patients with ALS

Time frame: EVERY 3 MONTHS DURING 24 MONTHS

Comparison of changes in lung volumes between the two groups based on Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), measured by spirometry during a Functional Respiratory Test (LFE)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Réunion

Other

Registry information

Acronym: RELAX SLA

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2028
Study completion: 2028
First posted: Mar 28, 2022
Registry last updated: Sep 21, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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