Comprehensive Rehabilitative Care Across the Spectrum of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive muscle weakness and wasting. There is no known cure and the disease is uniformly fatal.

Purpose

This review discusses current concepts in ALS care, from breaking the diagnosis to end-of-life care. People with ALS have several multidisciplinary needs due to a complex and dynamic disease process. They benefit from rehabilitation interventions that are individualized and have the goal of optimizing independence, function, and safety. These strategies also help minimize symptomatic burden and maximize quality of life.

Conclusion

Patient-centered, multidisciplinary care has a significant impact on the life of people with ALS and is the current standard of care for this patient population.

Introduction

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a daunting diagnosis to receive. The disease is uniformly fatal, with an average life expectancy of only three years after symptom onset (Chio, Logroscino, et al., 2009; Miller, Mitchell, & Moore, 2012). The only FDA-approved treatment, riluzole, only confers a modest survival advantage (Miller, et al., 2012). The natural history of the disease is characterized by a relentlessly progressive course that is characterized by diffuse weakness and skeletal muscle wasting, and frequently accompanied by dysarthria, dysphagia, and failure of the muscles that support ventilation (Brooks, 1996). However an “atypical” disease presentation may occur, with much slower disease progression occurring in some individuals with about 10% of cases living 10 years or longer (Chio, Logroscino, et al., 2009). Thus, the severity of the illness and uncertainties regarding the time course of disability and evolving care burden are a cause of great stress for affected individuals and their families. Receiving a diagnosis of ALS is a life-changing experience for all people involved and health-care providers themselves are not immune from the enormity of the task of caring for these individuals (Bromberg, Schenkenberg, & Brownell, 2011). The clinical care for ALS is optimally centered around “ALS clinics” with disease-focused expertise offering a multi-disciplinary approach that leverages the experience of several health care providers such as neurologists, physiatrists, pulmonologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and assistive technology experts, to name a few (Mayadev, Weiss, Distad, Krivickas, & Carter, 2008). The role of the ALS specialist is multi-faceted and includes ownership of multiple aspects of care as well as delegation to sub-specialists and coordination of their services. This highly integrated, comprehensive care that keeps the person with ALS at the center of attention (Figure 1) has been shown to result in better quality of life, increased utilization of supportive care services, and possibly prolonged survival (Chio, Bottacchi, Buffa, Mutani, & Mora, 2006; Miller et al., 2009b; Traynor, Alexander, Corr, Frost, & Hardiman, 2003; Van den Berg et al., 2005; Zoccolella et al., 2007). Multidisciplinary care is now considered standard of care and is one of the eleven AAN-endorsed ALS quality measures (Miller et al., 2014). Despite the fatal outcome of the disease process, ALS multidisciplinary care is intrinsically “rehabilitative” where rehabilitation is defined as the process of assisting people to reach their fullest potential despite the presence of a disability. Therefore, in ALS, the goal of the doctor-patient relationship shifts from “cure” to “care”. The disease, while “incurable”, is clearly worth treating, and invites as much creativity as possible to enhance function throughout the course of a disease that is quite dynamic and diverse. This paper will discuss relevant aspects of rehabilitative care across the ALS spectrum, emphasizing issues that frequently arise in caring for this patient population and what the rehabilitation team can offer to assist patients as the disease progresses.

Figure 1.

A model of person-centered multidisciplinary network of care

Abbreviations: MD: medical doctor; PT: physical therapist; OT: occupational therapist; RT: respiratory therapist; SLP: speech and language pathologist.

From symptom onset to diagnosis

Do I have ALS?

The onset of ALS is insidious and may “mimic” a variety of other conditions, often leading to misclassification and delays in diagnosis (Paganoni et al., 2014). The time from symptom onset to confirmed diagnosis ranges from 8 to 15 months (Cellura, Spataro, Taiello, & La Bella, 2012; Chio, 1999; Chio, Mora, et al., 2009; Donaghy, Dick, Hardiman, & Patterson, 2008; Househam & Swash, 2000; Mitchell et al., 2010; Paganoni, et al., 2014), which represents a significant proportion of total disease duration. This “diagnostic delay” may include a period of time when the diagnosis was suspected (Paganoni, et al., 2014), but the physician may have decided to delay discussion while ruling out mimickers or waiting for confirmation from an ALS specialist.

There is no consensus on how or when to deliver the diagnosis of ALS (Miller, et al., 2009b). Small studies have highlighted that, unfortunately, many patients and their families are dissatisfied with diagnosis delivery (Borasio, Sloan, & Pongratz, 1998; McCluskey, Casarett, & Siderowf, 2004) and that better training in delivering challenging diagnoses is needed during medical education (Schellenberg, Schofield, Fang, & Johnston, 2014). Importantly, clinical experience supports the view that the way the diagnosis is communicated is the very first step in the rehabilitative process as it will have a major bearing on patient attitudes towards the disease and the medical team’s recommendations (Silani & Borasio, 1999). Establishing a good physician-patient relationship even before the diagnosis is confirmed may help reduce patients’ fears and dispel misconceptions such as “there is nothing that one can do” or the outcome of ALS is “choking to death” (Maessen et al., 2010). The peri-diagnostic time represents a unique opportunity to adjust to the diagnosis in a stepwise fashion, understand the evolving tools for care and research that the medical system offers as well as discover the many opportunities for involvement with patient support groups, advocacy and community resources.

Spending enough time discussing the diagnosis has been identified as a predictor of higher patient and caregiver satisfaction (McCluskey, et al., 2004). Patient surveys have also suggested that communication skills such as an empathetic style, delivering the diagnosis when the patient’s support network is present, arranging a short-term follow-up meeting to address additional questions or concerns, and informing patients of sources for help and support including tertiary care centers and clinical trial options are associated with positive patient feedback (Borasio, et al., 1998; McCluskey, et al., 2004). While diagnosis delivery cannot be standardized, research in cancer has developed various protocols to aid the clinician in this challenging task such as the SPIKES method (Baile et al., 2000). The goals of this strategy are to gather information from the patient to gauge knowledge and expectations, provide intelligible information and support, and develop a plan (Baile, et al., 2000). These goals are achieved by using a variety of methods that are applicable to ALS as well (Baile, et al., 2000). Examples include choosing an appropriate setting (private room, with significant others present, sitting down with no barriers between clinician and patient), allowing enough time with no interruptions, asking open-ended questions to assess patient’s perceptions (“What have you been told about your medical condition so far?”), providing information in a stepwise fashion using non-technical terms (“Based on the tests we have done, there is a problem with your nerves so that your muscles can’t work properly”; “This condition is called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”; “There is no cure at the moment although one drug is available to slow down the disease; there is also a lot of research going on at this time to try to find new treatments”), addressing patient’s emotions with empathetic responses (“I know this is not good news and I also wish the news were better”), and forming a strategy to go forward (“We have an experienced team here who works with many people with your same condition”; “We have multiple ideas and strategies to assist you through this”; “Your main problem at this time is ankle weakness and falls, we can help with this”). Finally, variability in disease progression should be discussed as some people with ALS do have a slow progression and physicians’ ability to predict survival times is limited (Chio, Logroscino, et al., 2009; Kuffner et al., 2015).

Early ALS: exercise and adaptive equipment

Early symptoms of ALS can be quite variable. ALS can first develop in the legs or the arms or the bulbar region, with each region accounting for about a third of presentations. The onset is usually focal. The disease then progresses and spreads to other body regions. Typical presenting symptoms include ankle weakness causing foot drop, falls, difficulties with grip and fine motor skills, and slurred speech.

“Can exercise make me stronger?”

Many people with ALS ask about the role of exercise either because exercise has been an integral component of their pre-morbid lifestyle or because exercise is often thought to be reparative, having positive effects on endurance and strength. When they ask about exercise, most patients refer to aerobic training and strengthening programs.

The evidence regarding the risks and benefits of aerobic / strengthening exercise in ALS is limited to some pre-clinical evidence and two small clinical studies (Dal Bello-Haas & Florence, 2013). In mouse models of ALS, moderate endurance exercise delayed disease onset and increased survival (Carreras et al., 2010; Kirkinezos, Hernandez, Bradley, & Moraes, 2003; Veldink et al., 2003). High-intensity endurance training, on the other hand, was detrimental (Carreras, et al., 2010; Mahoney, Rodriguez, Devries, Yasuda, & Tarnopolsky, 2004). Small studies in people with ALS, also supported the safety of moderate-intensity exercise. In a study by Drory and colleagues (Drory, Goltsman, Reznik, Mosek, & Korczyn, 2001), 25 people with ALS were randomized to perform an individualized moderate-intensity daily exercise program “involving most muscle groups of the four limbs and trunk”, as opposed to avoiding any physical activity beyond their usual daily requirements. The goal of the program was to improve muscle endurance by “having the muscles work against only modest loads but undergo significant changes in length” (Drory, et al., 2001). The program was well tolerated and was associated with less functional decline on the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) and the Ashworth spasticity scale in the exercising group at 3 months following study initiation (Drory, et al., 2001). A second randomized, controlled trial of moderate resistance exercise in 27 people with ALS also resulted in better function at 6 months, as measured by total ALSFRS scores and quality of life, without adverse effects (Bello-Haas et al., 2007).

Currently there is an ongoing, larger trial of exercise in ALS to confirm and expand on these findings (NCT01521728). In the meantime, based on the available evidence so far and drawing from the exercise literature in other progressive neuromuscular diseases, we can conclude that moderate-intensity exercise is safe for people with ALS. Overexertion with resulting prolonged post-exercise fatigue, muscle pain, or soreness, however, should be avoided as these symptoms can signal overwork-induced muscle damage (Petrof, 1998). Exercise is unlikely to make muscles significantly stronger in ALS and high-intensity weight training in the gym should be discouraged. On the other hand, gentle, restorative exercise can be used as a tool to avoid further deconditioning and as a means to improve sleep and mood. Aerobic exercise practiced in a community setting (e.g., accessible pool, adaptive golf, chair yoga, tai chi) is generally preferred and can also help promote social interactions. Practical recommendations for exercise in ALS are listed in Table 1. Of note, stretching and range-of-motion exercises should be encouraged starting early in the course of the disease and as part of a gentle, wellness-oriented, physical activity daily routine. Clinical experience suggests that performing simple stretching exercises that target the major joints helps prevent development of painful and function-limiting contractures, especially at the shoulders. Training with a physical therapist who will develop an appropriate exercise routine is recommended and periodic program modification will be needed as the disease progresses.

Table 1.

Practical, empiric recommendations for exercise in ALS

Type of exercise	Potential benefits	Practical considerations
Flexibility	Prevention and management of contractures; might also help reduce pain and spasticity	Start early in the disease course and incorporate in gentle daily routine with caregiver participation as needed.
Strengthening	Potential role in maintaining muscle strength	Do not exercise muscles that do not have antigravity strength. Avoid high-resistance exercise. Avoid eccentric exercise. Progress as tolerated (“start low, go slow”).
Aerobic	Potential role in reducing deconditioning and improving mood, sleep, spasticity and quality of life	Perform at a moderate, sub-maximum level. If the patient cannot talk comfortably during exercise, the program is too vigorous. Progress as tolerated (“start low, go slow”). Consider community-based programs that encourage social interaction and participation such as adaptive sports program (e.g., adaptive golf).

“I want to continue to work, take care of my children, go on a trip. What can you do to make this possible?”

As patients develop weakness in the bulbar, cervical, and/or lumbosacral regions, they lose the ability to perform the daily activities they care about. The focus of clinic visits should shift from documenting the inevitable progression of the weakness to pro-active brainstorming with all the members of the multidisciplinary team to find ways to make desired activities possible for as long as possible. Assistive devices and adaptive equipment should be considered and periodically re-evaluated. Some devices may be borrowed from patient support groups as they are expensive (Connolly et al., 2014; Gladman, Dharamshi, & Zinman, 2014) and multiple devices are likely to be needed along the course of disease progression (Bromberg, Brownell, Forshew, & Swenson, 2010). Of note, the introduction of these devices is sometimes viewed by patient’s as a sign of “defeat”. It is important that the rehabilitation team focus on the function-expanding aspect of assistive devices; these are the tools that will ensure that one can continue to enjoy functional independence and safe mobility at home, at work, and in the community for as long as possible.

Lower body weakness leads to a less efficient and more energy-consuming gait pattern (Menotti et al., 2011) as the patient needs to compensate for muscle imbalances to avoid tripping and falling. Proximal leg weakness may compound the problem, making it difficult to get out of a car or rise from a low surface. Further, muscle imbalance and compensatory gait patterns (e.g., steppage, hip hiking) can trigger musculoskeletal pain such as low back pain and can worsen fatigue. Braces and adaptive equipment are very valuable even early on to help prevent or manage these problems. Braces can be used on an intermittent basis when weakness is mild to help conserve energy (Bean, Walsh, & Frontera, 2001) and assist at times of demanding activities such as walking long distances. Several braces for the lower limbs are available. The most commonly used braces in ALS are ankle-foot-orthoses (AFOs), preferably light-weight and customized. As disease progresses, AFOs may be needed at all times to help reduce the risk of falling.

Adaptive equipment such as swivel cushions and lift chairs can help assist sit-to-stand transitions. Eventually, patients will need mobility aids such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. Canes provide the least stability and are appropriate for mild lower extremity weakness only, adding some proprioceptive input. Walkers provide the most support for the ambulant but weak patient, but are often perceived as cumbersome. Crutches have very limited use in ALS, as one needs a high degree of upper body strength to use them. Transitioning to a wheelchair may be challenging both psychologically and logistically. It is important that wheelchairs are presented as a way to allow greater safety and independence such as during holiday trips and when attending social events. Manual and transport wheelchairs are useful in the early stages to help conserve energy especially when traveling long distances. However, power wheelchairs ultimately prove more useful as ALS patients develop upper body weakness that prevents them from propelling manual wheelchairs. Due to difficulties in obtaining insurance reimbursement for more than one wheelchair, it is recommended that ALS patients rent or borrow a manual or transport wheelchair instead of purchasing one. Insurance coverage should be reserved for the expensive (Ward et al., 2010), customized power wheelchairs. Proper seating and positioning in the wheelchair are critical to ensure comfort and prevent secondary problems such as skin breakdown and back pain. Thus, customization of the power wheelchair, teaching pressure relief maneuvers to patients and their caregivers, and providing ongoing monitoring and wheelchair adjustments in a clinic with experience with ALS is crucial for health and comfort.

Adaptive tools are also available to assist upper body weakness (Dal Bello-Haas, Kloos, & Mitsumoto, 1998). Fine motor skills are often affected first and patients complain of difficulties with doorknobs, buttons, zippers, cans, and jars. Occupational therapists (OTs) with experience in ALS may help guide patients to select among several pieces of adaptive equipment (Table 2). Hand splints may also be considered to compensate for intrinsic hand muscle weakness (Ivy, Smith, & Materi, 2014; Tanaka, Saura, Houraiya, & Tanimura, 2009). The goal of these devices is to allow the patient to get dressed and eat independently, read, write and use computers.

Table 2.

Adaptive equipment for ADLs/IADLs.

Activity	Example
Meal preparation and self-feeding	Large-handled utensils or foam cylinders placed around utensils, rocker knives, universal cuffs for holding utensils, long straws, scoop dishes, nonskid pads, mobile arm supports
Dressing	Button hooks, zipper pulls, Velcro fasteners, elastic shoelaces, reachers, dressing sticks, long-handled shoe horns
Grooming and personal hygiene	Strap-fitted hairbrush, long-handled comb and sponge, foam cylinders placed around the handle of bath tools to facilitate grip
Reading and writing	Page-turning devices, large-handled pens or foam cylinders placed around pens to improve grip, hand splints

Abbreviations: ADLs: activities of daily living; IADLs: instrumental activities of daily living.

Symptom management as ALS progresses: medications and assistive technology

“What medications are available to control ALS-related symptoms?”

While we cannot change the ultimate outcome of the disease, there is certainly a lot that can be done to effectively manage ALS-related symptoms and maximize quality of life (Table 3).

Table 3.

Treatable ALS-related symptoms.

Symptom	Treatment options
Pain	Physical medicine and rehabilitation strategies: optimization of transfers, seating and positioning; bracing; physical therapy; stretching and gentle exercise; massage; TENS; ice /heat; ultrasound; inontophoresis; acupuncture; trigger point injections; joint injections (with lidocaine and steroids). Note that these strategies may be enough to effectively manage pain in many patients with none to minimal side effects. Medications: topical analgesics, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, gabapentin, pregabalin, opioids.
Spasticity	Medications: baclofen, tizanidine, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids (ITB and botulinum toxin in PLS and select cases of UMN-predominant ALS). Adjunctive treatments: as above in the pain section, although the effect on spasticity is limited and temporary.
Cramps	Medications: baclofen, gabapentin, cannabinoids. Adjunctive treatments: stretching, gentle exercise, hydration (tonic water).
Sialorrhea	Medications: glycopyrrolate (may be used SC or IM in advanced disease), amitriptyline, atropine drops (SL), scopolamine transdermal patch, hyoscyamine. Other: botulinum toxin or radiation to salivary glands.
Difficulty with Secretion clearance	Most effective: cough-assist device. Adjuncts: guaifenesin, N-acetylcysteine nebulizing treatment, good hydration.
Fatigue	Screen for nocturnal hypoventilation and initiate NIV as needed. Screen for co-morbidities such as anemia and malnutrition and correct if present. Treat pain, cramps and spasticity that may interfere with sleep. Review medication list for side effects. Use braces and assistive devices to help conserve energy. Use energy conservation techniques such as pacing and taking rest breaks. ? modafinil.
Depression	SSRIs; SNRIs; bupropion; tricyclics. Cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Abbreviations: ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; IM: intramuscular; ITB: intratechal baclofen; NIV: non-invasive ventilation; NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PLS: primary lateral sclerosis; SC: subcutaneous; SL: sublingual; SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; SNRIs: serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors; TENS: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; UMN: upper motor neuron.

Pain

The classic tagline is that ALS is a disease characterized by “painless, progressive weakness”. While this is true with respect to the primary disease process, pain can develop as a secondary complication of musculoskeletal dysfunction due to limited mobility, loss of range of motion, and difficulty with positioning in bed or in a wheelchair (Boninger et al., 2003; Gibson & Frank, 2005). Many people with ALS report pain even in the early stages of their disease (Pizzimenti, Aragona, Onesti, & Inghilleri, 2013; Rivera et al., 2013) and pain is associated with reduced quality of life (Pizzimenti, et al., 2013). Common sites of pain include the low back, the neck, and the shoulder region (Ho, Ruthazer, & Russell, 2011). Surprisingly, pain in ALS has been poorly studied and is often poorly managed (Wallace et al., 2014). This is very unfortunate as many causes of pain can be prevented and/or managed by simple interventions such as providing adequate lumbar support or adjusting the arm rests of the patient’s wheelchair. For power wheelchair users, power elevating the legs can ease back pain and the tilt-in-space feature helps relieve pain from gluteal pressure. Braces and splints can support joints that are affected by progressive muscle weakness. For example, many people with ALS develop shoulder pain due to loss of strength of the peri-scapular musculature with subsequent loss of range of motion, subluxation, and development of contractures. A regular stretching program, combined with the use of shoulder approximation sleeves, can help prevent shoulder pain. In the legs, discomfort can be compounded by dependent edema which can benefit from leg elevation, massage, and compression stockings.

Physical medicine modalities can help relieve pain in many patients (Table 3) (Gaujoux-Viala, Dougados, & Gossec, 2009; Gracies, 2001; Green, Buchbinder, & Hetrick, 2003, 2005). Pharmacologic treatment of pain may also be needed using one or more of several agents. The choice of the specific compound is based on clinician experience as there has been no trials of drug therapy for pain in ALS (Brettschneider, Kurent, & Ludolph, 2013). Options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), acetaminophen and medications for neuropathic pain. Opioids may be needed, especially in advanced disease (Oliver et al., 2010).

Spasticity

Management of spasticity in ALS has been poorly studied; however, several agents are available for use including baclofen, tizanidine, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids. The choice of one agent vs. another is based on experience, side effect profile, and patient response. Intrathecal baclofen, and botulinum toxin can be considered in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and select cases of upper-motor neuron predominant ALS. Of note, reduction of bothersome spasticity needs to be balanced with the fact that some increased tone in certain muscle groups can actually support function (e.g., spasticity in the extensor muscles of the legs can assist standing during transfers and facilitate bed mobility). Non-pharmacologic treatment options for spasticity can be offered as an adjunct, although the effects of such interventions are generally limited and temporary (Table 3) (Gracies, 2001).

Cramps

Cramps can be quite bothersome in ALS and yet management of cramps has been understudied in ALS (Baldinger, Katzberg, & Weber, 2012; Miller, et al., 2009b). Quinine has been used in the past with some success (El-Tawil et al., 2010), but due to the potential for serious hematologic reactions (Houstoun et al., 2014), quinine treatment for leg cramps has decreased significantly and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use. However, in our experience some people with ALS will drink tonic water to relieve cramps as it contains some quinine. Regardless, concerns about potential quinine-related side effects remain, thus limiting its usefulness. Empirically, many ALS clinicians try one of several medications to address cramps including baclofen, gabapentin and cannabinoids (Weber, Goldman, & Truniger, 2010) with variable success. Additional agents with potential benefit include vitamin B and diltiazem (Katzberg, Khan, & So, 2010) as well as levetiracetam (Bedlack, Pastula, Hawes, & Heydt, 2009). Stretching, gentle exercise (Ribeiro, 2014) and good hydration may also be beneficial. A trial of mexiletine for the treatment of muscle cramps in ALS is ongoing (NCT01811355).

Sialorrhea / secretion management

Drooling of saliva occurs in ALS due to oro-pharyngeal weakness that also leads to difficulty expectorating sputum and bronchial secretions. Patients may be bothered by saliva leaking from the corner of the mouth while at the same time they have the feeling that some dry, thick secretions are “stuck in the back of the throat”. This combination of symptoms may be extremely frustrating for patients and may be difficult to manage as finding the right balance between too much drooling and too much “dryness” can be tricky.

Pharmacological agents for sialorrhea management are listed in Table 3 and are available in different formulations (Banfi et al., 2014). Their use is limited by anticholinergic side effects such as constipation, difficulty urinating, dry eyes, blurred vision, and confusion. Botulinum toxin injection (Anagnostou et al., 2013; Jackson et al., 2009; Stokholm, Bisgard, & Vilholm, 2013) and radiation (Assouline et al., 2014; Kasarskis, Hodskins, & St Clair, 2011) of the salivary glands are alternative strategies that can be considered when adequate symptom control cannot be achieved or is limited by intolerable side effects caused by use of systemic agents. These interventions can be quite effective and have few side effects, although rapid worsening of dysphagia to the point of requiring insertion of a gastrostomy tube is a potential rare complication of botulinum toxin injection.

Treatment of sialorrhea can make clearance of bronchial secretions more difficult by increasing their viscosity. Mucolytics can be used to counteract this problem. In addition, cough assist devices are widely used to promote airway clearance and are recommended treatment when the patient’s peak cough flow is measured at 270L/min or less during routine pulmonary function testing.

Fatigue and sleep

Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom in ALS (McElhiney, Rabkin, Gordon, Goetz, & Mitsumoto, 2009a; Ramirez, Piemonte, Callegaro, & Da Silva, 2008) and is a disabling problem for many. The term “fatigue” refers to both an inability to sustain motor function during exertion and a pervasive tiredness (Gibbons, Thornton, & Young, 2013). Causes of fatigue are multiple, ranging from nocturnal hypoventilation with resulting excessive daytime sleepiness to uncontrolled pain and cramps that interfere with sleep (Lo Coco & La Bella, 2012). Behavioral and medical interventions that may aid in fatigue management are listed in Table 3. Modafinil has been proposed as a pharmacologic treatment for fatigue in ALS based on two small studies (Carter et al., 2005; J. G. Rabkin et al., 2009), but cost is a limiting factor and confirmation of efficacy is needed in larger studies.

“The worst part of ALS is that I lost my ability to communicate”

Dysarthria and the prospect of losing the ability to communicate are understandably frightening symptoms for people with ALS. Reduced speaking rate often precedes loss of intelligibility (Yunusova et al., 2012; Yunusova et al., 2010). Unfortunately, oral motor exercises are not likely to help and, in fact, many people with ALS report worsening of their speech the longer they talk. Speech therapy, however, can teach people to develop compensatory techniques such as minimizing the distance to the listeners, speaking face-to-face in a well lit room, overarticulating, and spelling out words. Taking rest breaks before speaking engagements can help to maximize speaking endurance.

As dysarthria progresses, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices such as text-to-speech devices and computer / tablet applications for speech production are needed (Brownlee & Palovcak, 2007). AAC use is associated with improved quality of life and mood in people with severe dysarthria / anarthria (Caligari, Godi, Guglielmetti, Franchignoni, & Nardone, 2013; Korner et al., 2013). Message (voice) banking allows people to record their own voice and play it back on speech devices. These devices can be operated manually, by eye gaze (Caligari, et al., 2013; Spataro, Ciriacono, Manno, & La Bella, 2014), or by head movement tracking technology, allowing communication to occur even in the later stages of the disease (Caligari, et al., 2013). Even for patients who use AAC effectively, however, it important to develop personalized communication strategies with the caregivers such as a system for quickly confirming understanding or asking for help. Finally, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are an active area of research. BCIs transform brain signals (Collinger et al., 2013; Hochberg et al., 2012; Sellers, Ryan, & Hauser, 2014; Simeral, Kim, Black, Donoghue, & Hochberg, 2011) into commands that activate and move a cursor or a switch and are currently being evaluated for use in ALS (Huggins, Wren, & Gruis, 2011; McCane et al., 2014; Nijboer et al., 2008).

“Why do I cough when I eat?”

Coughing at mealtimes, frequent throat clearing, wet vocal quality, feeling that food gets “stuck”, and choking are all symptoms of oropharyngeal and tongue weakness leading to dysphagia. Dysphagia can lead to aspiration and malnutrition, a negative prognostic factor in ALS (Desport et al., 1999; Paganoni, Deng, Jaffa, Cudkowicz, & Wills, 2011). As development of dysphagia is expected in ALS, bedside assessment of swallowing by a speech and language pathologist (SLP) is generally enough, although Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) may be considered to help educate patients on compensatory swallowing strategies and behavioral changes (e.g., head tilt, chin tuck, alternating bites of solid food with sips of liquid). Patients also need to be trained on diet modifications that can promote safe swallowing such as favoring soft, moist foods over dry, crumbly, or chewy foods. Neuromuscular dysphagia generally begins with difficulty managing liquids. Therefore, even in the early stages of the disease switching to thicker liquids (fruit nectar, smoothies) or addition of commercially available thickeners may be needed.

When oral intake becomes inadequate, too effortful or fatiguing, and/or compromises safety, alternative routes for nutrition may be considered to stabilize body weight (Miller et al., 2009a) and, possibly, prolong survival, although the effect on survival is still debated (Atassi, Cudkowicz, & Schoenfeld, 2011; Miller, et al., 2009a). These methods include percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG), with the latter being safer in ALS (Allen et al., 2013). The risk of gastrostomy tube placement increases when forced vital capacity falls below 50% of predicted (Miller, et al., 2009a). Therefore, early intervention is practiced by many although the best timing for performing the procedure is unknown (Miller, et al., 2009a).

“I cannot lie flat”

Failure of the muscles that support ventilation is the leading cause of death in ALS. Diaphragm weakness first manifests as nocturnal hypoventilation and may lead to interrupted sleep, increased anxiety, early morning headaches, and excessive daytime fatigue. As disease progresses, patients develop orthopnea with inability to lie flat, dyspnea on exertion and eventually shortness of breath when sitting. Weak cough and difficulty clearing secretions are associated symptoms. Patients may also develop a soft voice as sufficient respiratory support is needed to speak loudly.

Most patients with ALS remain asymptomatic until their vital capacity (VC) is less than 50% of predicted. VC correlates with survival (Traynor, Zhang, Shefner, Schoenfeld, & Cudkowicz, 2004), is employed in clinical trials as an outcome measure and is routinely monitored using portable spirometers in most ALS clinics (Miller, et al., 2009a). Additional and probably more sensitive methods to monitor diaphragm weakness include nocturnal oximetry, supine VC, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and sniff nasal pressure (SNP) (Miller, et al., 2009a). These methods are available in many centers although VC remains the most commonly used measure.

When patients develop symptoms or their VC falls below 50%, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is offered to support ventilation, initially at night, and then during daytime naps or longer as needed (Miller, et al., 2009a). Discussion about the natural course of breathing difficulties in ALS should be initiated early after diagnosis, so that patients can learn about the benefits and limitations of all forms of assistive ventilation and make informed choices. A randomized controlled study from 2006 showed that NIV was effective at prolonging survival in people with ALS, with a median survival benefit of 205 days (Bourke et al., 2006). This benefit, however, was not seen in patients with poor bulbar function (Bourke, et al., 2006). NIV also improved quality of life and sleep-related symptoms, even when bulbar dysfunction was present (Bourke, et al., 2006). Based on this trial, and a few other subsequent observational studies, NIV is now considered part of the standard of care for ALS, although its use may be limited by patient acceptance and compliance (Miller, et al., 2009a). Diaphragm pacing is a newer, alternative means of supporting ventilation. Its effectiveness in prolonging survival in ALS, however, is unclear at this time (Gonzalez-Bermejo et al., 2012; Mahajan, Bach, Saporito, & Perez, 2012; Onders, Elmo, Kaplan, Katirji, & Schilz, 2014) and is the subject of ongoing research (McDermott et al., 2012). Additional preventive interventions include influenza and pneumococcal vaccination that are recommended for all people with ALS. Supplemental oxygen is rarely used unless there is concurrent pulmonary disease as it may suppress respiratory drive and lead to carbon dioxide retention. Finally, some people with ALS choose tracheostomy and invasive mechanical ventilation to prolong life (Dreyer, Lorenzen, Schou, & Felding, 2014). This practice is frequent in some countries (Fini et al., 2014; Tagami et al., 2014), but chosen by only a minority in the United States (J. Rabkin et al., 2013).

Psychological health and quality of life

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) face enormous physical and emotional challenges. It is therefore expected for ALS to have a psychological impact on patients both at the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease (Atassi et al., 2011; Cupp et al., 2011; Felgoise et al., 2010; Kurt, Nijboer, Matuz, & Kubler, 2007; McElhiney, Rabkin, Gordon, Goetz, & Mitsumoto, 2009b; J. G. Rabkin et al., 2005; Tedman, Young, & Williams, 1997; Wicks et al., 2007). Interestingly, prior studies have shown that psychological distress is not directly related to functional impairment (Atassi, Cook, et al., 2011; Cupp, et al., 2011; McElhiney, et al., 2009b; J. G. Rabkin, Wagner, & Del Bene, 2000). It has been speculated that in ALS the predicted functional losses lead the patient to change his or her health expectations (Cupp, et al., 2011). Changes in expectations may be accompanied by a response shift so that the factors that contribute most to psychological health shift from those that are dependent on physical function to those that are not (social, spiritual, and existential factors) (Cupp, et al., 2011; Lule et al., 2009). Perceived social support is a strong predictor of psychosocial adjustment (Lule, et al., 2009).

Still, mildly-to-severely depressed mood is present in 10–56% of people with ALS, with prevalence varying greatly depending on the scale used to define depression (Atassi, Cook, et al., 2011; Cupp, et al., 2011; Felgoise, et al., 2010; Kurt, et al., 2007; McElhiney, et al., 2009b; J. G. Rabkin, et al., 2005; Tedman, et al., 1997; Wicks, et al., 2007). When present, depression can be effectively treated with a combination of pharmacological treatments and cognitive-behavioral interventions (Table 3). An additional, disabling symptom is pseudobulbar affect (PBA), characterized by excessive laughing or crying incongruous to circumstances. This problem affects 20%–50% of people with ALS and responds well to the combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine (Brooks et al., 2004; Pioro et al., 2010; Yang & Deeks, 2015). Although PBA is not a mood disorder, antidepressants are also frequently employed and can be effective. Interestingly, wish to die does not correlate with depression (Albert et al., 2005; J. G. Rabkin et al., 2014), pain (Maessen, et al., 2010), or inadequate care (Maessen, et al., 2010). Rather, wish to die is linked to hopelessness, fear of suffocation, and fear of being a burden (Albert, et al., 2005; Lule et al., 2014; Maessen et al., 2009; Maessen, et al., 2010).

Multiple studies have shown that quality of life (QOL) is maintained as ALS progresses (Gauthier et al., 2007; Rousseau, Pietra, Blaya, & Catala, 2011; Rousseau, Pietra, Nadji, & Billette de Villemeur, 2013) and that QOL does not directly correlate with strength and physical function (Chio et al., 2004; Grehl, Rupp, Budde, Tegenthoff, & Fangerau, 2011; Simmons, Bremer, Robbins, Walsh, & Fischer, 2000). Rather, quality of life depends primarily on psychological and existential factors (Bremer, Simone, Walsh, Simmons, & Felgoise, 2004; Calvo et al., 2011; Chio, et al., 2004; Simmons, et al., 2000). Interestingly, the QOL of people with ALS is often underestimated by caregivers and healthcare professionals (Lule et al., 2013; Trail, Nelson, Van, Appel, & Lai, 2003).

Advanced disease and end-of-life care

Early involvement of palliative care as part of the multidisciplinary team ensures an integrated approach across the spectrum of the illness that includes multi-modal symptom management, advanced planning of end-of-life care, and timely utilization of hospice (Bede et al., 2011; Blackhall, 2012; Karam, Paganoni, Joyce, Carter, & Bedlack, 2014). Patients with advanced disease and their caregivers face increasing physical, financial, and emotional demands (Chio, Gauthier, Calvo, Ghiglione, & Mutani, 2005; Connolly, et al., 2014; Gauthier, et al., 2007; Gladman, et al., 2014; Lillo, Mioshi, & Hodges, 2012; Qutub, Lacomis, Albert, & Feingold, 2014). Adequate social support is associated with reduced burden (Pagnini et al., 2010; Qutub, et al., 2014) and continued engagement with the multidisciplinary team assists patients and their caregivers in coping with worsening functional status. Home visits and telemedicine visits reduce the need for logistically difficult trips to the ALS clinic (Vitacca et al., 2010). The main focus of palliative care for people with advanced ALS is proactive management of symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath, which can be effectively managed with a variety of medications including opioids and benzodiazepines (Oliver, et al., 2010), coordination of home care services, and caregiver support.

Research and future directions

Basic ALS research has seen several breakthrough discoveries in recent years including a novel understanding of the genetic complexities and molecular mechanisms of the disease (Renton, Chio, & Traynor, 2014; Turner et al., 2013). While the lack of disease-modifying treatments at this time is upsetting, one should keep in mind that the pace of discovery in ALS has greatly accelerated over the last 20 years (Figure 2). Little progress was made between the original description of ALS in the 19^th century and 1993, the year that the first ALS-causing gene was discovered. On the other hand, over the last two decades, there has been an exploding interest in ALS genetics, pre-clinical modeling, and pathophysiology. Hope for ALS is fostered by a vibrant patient community with high involvement with research (Chad et al., 2013) and fundraising (Vaidya, 2014) as well as by a collaborative clinical research community that has developed infrastructure resources, shared metrics, and a roadmap to optimize translational research (Atassi et al., 2013; Beghi et al., 2011; Cudkowicz et al., 2010; Otto et al., 2012; Sherman et al., 2013). Admittedly, the recent exciting basic science discoveries have yet to translate into effective treatments for patients. However, they have already led to a large pipeline of potential therapies that await testing in clinical trials. The hope is that this momentum will soon translate into new treatments for ALS.

Figure 2.

Timeline of ALS research

Abbreviations: C9orf72: chromosome 9 open reading frame 72; iPSC: induced pluripotent stem cells; SOD1: copper zinc superoxide dismutase 1; TDP-43: TAR DNA-binding protein 43.