Can adaptive equipment reduce pain for people with ALS?

Using adaptive equipment puts less strain on progressively weaker muscles of a person living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For example, using a cane, walker, rollator or wheelchair lessens pain on leg muscles. Pain and discomfort in upper limbs can be reduced by using adaptive equipment for eating, driving, and home assistance devices to control the temperature, music, or door openings. Pain management for ALS is typically based on a combination of approaches that include physical therapy, massage, and medications.

Which mobility devices can help people with ALS walk?

Mild impairment in walking can be managed with the use of a cane or hiking sticks, for a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As the disease progresses and muscles become weaker , a person with ALS may need a walker, rollator, or a manual or power wheelchair.

Can adaptive equipment increase life expectancy for people with ALS?

Adaptive equipment for breathing can help prolong life expectancy for a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Respiratory aids can be noninvasive, such as a BiPap machine, cough assist units, and suction devices, or invasive, including a surgical tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. Elevating the head of the bed can also assist in breathing, especially during sleep.

Can a person with ALS drive?

As long as it is safe to do so, a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can drive. Regular evaluations of the skills needed for driving, including muscular control, reflex, vision, hearing and cognitive ability should be done by an occupational therapist and other members of the healthcare team. Hand controls can be added to a car, and some people may be able to purchase a wheelchair van. After a person with ALS cannot drive any longer, there are other options for transport, such as charitable organizations, accessible transit, taxis, and ride shares.

Which exercises are suitable for a person with ALS?

Gentle stretching such as yoga, swimming, recumbent biking, walking, light-to-moderate resistance training, and weight lifting are suitable for a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). An exercise program should be set up for the individual’s needs and monitored by a physical therapist familiar with working with people with ALS.

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ALS support: Assistive equipment and adaptations

Assistive equipment and adaptive devices for people with ALS can help make life more manageable and comfortable. These include aids for eating and drinking, getting dressed, bathing, using the toilet, grooming, and for recreation and mobility.

ALS and mental health

Navigating life with ALS has an impact not only on physical well-being but the mental health of both patients and caregivers. Therapy, medications, and emotional support groups and forums, among other strategies, can help ease the symptoms of depression or anxiety.

May 25, 2023 Columns by Kristin Neva

The ways music has comforted us while living with ALS

A friend who visited Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for a serious health issue posted a video on social media of a string quartet playing in the towering glass atrium of the Gonda Building there. It brought back memories of when my husband, Todd, and I went to Mayo for…

You are not alone: Words of wisdom from the ALS community

It's easy to feel isolated when dealing with a chronic disease like ALS, but help and support is available. For those who may need a little extra guidance or reassurance, we’ve compiled a variety of tips and advice from our ALS community that you may find useful.

May 25, 2023 News by Mary Chapman

PatientsLikeMe ALS contribution expands free PRO-ACT database

The data platform PatientsLikeMe (PLM) has made its de-identified amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient database available to scientists around the world to advance clinical research in the neurodegenerative disorder. Part of a collaboration between PLM and the Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the…

May 25, 2023 by Bionews Staff

As an ALS caregiver, I learned the true meaning of strength

Britley Wells and Brian Jeansonne. (Photo courtesy of Britley Wells) This is Britley Wells’ story: Hi there! My name is Britley Wells, and I am a trauma intensive care registered nurse at University Medical Center New Orleans. In early January, I had the privilege of meeting the…

May 23, 2023 Columns by Dagmar Munn

Lessons learned from my ALS awareness experiences

A few months after I learned I had ALS, I was invited to participate in a walkathon to help raise funds for the ALS Association. I’m sure my curt reply of “No, thank you” came as a shock to the person inviting me. At the time, I had…

May 23, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS

Some sporadic ALS patients have mutation causing other diseases

A sizable portion of people with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carry a genetic mutation known to cause other neurological disorders, a new study shows. “This suggests shared risk factors among these diseases, shared mechanisms that cause nerves to die – and perhaps shared therapeutic strategies in the future,”…

May 22, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD

PARADIGM trial of PrimeC for ALS now fully enrolled with 69 adults

A Phase 2b trial of PrimeC for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has completed patient enrollment, according to NeuroSense Therapeutics, the therapy’s developer. Called PARADIGM (NCT05357950), the study enrolled 69 adults diagnosed with ALS, ages 18-75, at sites in Israel, Italy, and Canada. The company…

May 19, 2023 Columns by Juliet Taylor

Why last week was special in the ALS community

I love inspirational quotes and sayings. Throughout my life, I’ve stumbled upon passages from books or snippets of speeches from public figures and recognized them as a helpful way for me to understand or think about a current challenge in life. In some cases, they’ve served as mantras — easy…