Personalized physiotherapy using robotic leg-press guidance for people with ALS
Individualized Physiotherapy Addressing Patient-Specific Deficits in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Compared to Usual Care Physiotherapy: A Prospective, Pseudorandomized, Controlled, Interventional Study
NA · Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen · NCT07341984
This study will try a personalized physiotherapy program guided by a robotic leg-press to see if it helps adults with ALS maintain physical function better than standard physiotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 38 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Sankt Gallen) |
| Trial ID | NCT07341984 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants are assigned to either an individualized physiotherapy program tailored to their motor deficits using diagnostic data from a robotic leg-press system or to usual-care physiotherapy. The robotic assessments identify muscle strengths, weaknesses, and movement-control problems that guide a 3–5 sessions-per-week program of about 30 minutes per session. Participants are followed for 12 months to compare functional outcomes and safety between the two approaches. The goal is to refine physiotherapy strategies for people with ALS in a safe, patient-centered way.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) with clinically probable, probable laboratory-supported, or definite ALS (or upper motor neuron only) who can consent and perform regular exercise sessions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with tracheostomy, continuous assisted ventilation, significant non-ALS pulmonary disease, other confounding neuromuscular disorders, or who cannot safely perform the required exercises are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help people with ALS maintain mobility and daily function longer by tailoring exercises to each person's specific motor deficits.
How similar studies have performed: Exercise interventions in ALS have generally been shown to be safe and have produced modest functional benefits in some trials, but a robotic-guided, individualized physiotherapy approach is relatively novel with limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of clinically probable, probable laboratory-supported, or definite ALS (revised El Escorial criteria) or upper motor neuron only (OPM classification \[onset, propagation, motoneuron involvement\]) * age ≥18 years; ability to understand study information and provide written informed consent * Willingness and ability to perform individualized exercise according to the study protocol (approximately three to five sessions of 30 minutes per week) for the duration of the intervention period * Individuals of all sexes and gender identities are eligible for inclusion Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy, tracheostomy, continuous assisted ventilation, or other significant non-ALS pulmonary disease * other neurodegenerative or neuromuscular conditions that may confound assessments * concomitant life-threatening disease or impairment interfering with functional assessment
Where this trial is running
Sankt Gallen
- ALS Clinic — Sankt Gallen, Switzerland (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Charlotte Vogt
- Email: charlotte.vogt@h-och.ch
- Phone: 0041714943581
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis