Recruiting

Breathing exercises to strengthen cough and lung function in ALS

Plain-English translation of NCT05913882 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated December 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether combining two types of breathing exercises — lung volume recruitment and expiratory muscle strength training — can help people with ALS maintain or improve their ability to cough and breathe. These exercises are designed to help strengthen your respiratory muscles and protect your airway, which becomes increasingly important as ALS progresses.

People with ALS often experience weakened cough and breathing difficulties, which can lead to serious complications like pneumonia. This trial is designed to see whether these specific exercises can help maintain respiratory function and reduce these risks.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with probable or definite ALS within the last 2 years
you have weak cough strength compared to what is normal for your age and gender
you have never done lung volume recruitment or expiratory muscle strength training before
you do not have other conditions that would affect your ability to participate safely

You likely don't qualify if…

you are currently using a cough assist machine or non-invasive ventilation device
you have had a tracheostomy or use invasive mechanical ventilation
you have a history of lung collapse (pneumothorax) or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
you have been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia or have advanced cognitive impairment
you are enrolled in another study that might affect your cough or respiratory function

What participation looks like

You will have three in-person visits and participate in four weekly video-based therapy sessions over a 5-week period, plus an initial 5-week observation period where you serve as your own comparison. During the video sessions, a trained clinician will guide you through the breathing exercises, measure your cough strength using a simple device at home, and complete surveys about your symptoms. The entire commitment involves about 2–3 hours per week.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 1, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida