Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration
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Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener · Nov 2020
Differentiating needs of informal caregivers of individuals with ALS across the caregiving course: a systematic review.
Informal caregivers of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience a range of needs across the course of the disease. For the provision of adequate support, an examination of the empirical evidence is necessary. ⋯ Healthcare professionals need to pay attention to current caregiving stages to provide support for informal caregivers. Further research is needed to tease out support needs for the bereavement phase.
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Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener · May 2020
The current use of telehealth in ALS care and the barriers to and facilitators of implementation: a systematic review.
Objective: We aimed to provide an overview of telehealth used in the care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and identify the barriers to and facilitators of its implementation. Methods: We searched Pubmed and Embase to identify relevant articles. Full-text articles with original research reporting on the use of telehealth in ALS care, were included. ⋯ Healthcare professionals, however, show mixed experiences and perceive barriers to telehealth use. Challenges related to finance and legislation may hinder telehealth implementation in ALS care. Future research should report the barriers and facilitators of implementation and determine the cost-effectiveness of telehealth.
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Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener · May 2019
Meta AnalysisPlasma creatinine and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis prognosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Background: Plasma creatinine has been described as a prognostic biomarker for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), but with conflicting results in the literature. We performed a systematic review followed by a meta-analysis to address this question. Methods: We performed a systematic review of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases and retrieved 14 distinct cohorts (19 studies) reporting results regarding the relationship between plasma creatinine and a clinical marker for ALS progression, notably ALSFRS (ALS Functional Rating Scale) and survival. ⋯ The overall quality of the studies was low mainly due to potential attrition bias, and several studies did not report analyzable results raising concern regarding a potential reporting bias. Conclusions: Plasma creatinine seems to be a promising prognostic biomarker for ALS. However, new studies with sound methodology and standardized criteria for the evaluation of ALS progression should be conducted to validate plasma creatinine as a clinical biomarker for ALS prognosis.
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Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener · Nov 2017
Review Meta AnalysisNocebo in motor neuron disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Nocebo is very prevalent among neurological disorders, resulting in low adherence and treatment outcome. We sought to examine the AEs following placebo administration in placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials (RCTs) for motor neuron disease (MND). ⋯ Our study indicates significant nocebo in trials for MND treatment, adversely affecting adherence and efficacy of current treatments in clinical practice, with additional implications for trial design.
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Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener · Nov 2017
Review Meta AnalysisNocebo in motor neuron disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Nocebo is very prevalent among neurological disorders, resulting in low adherence and treatment outcome. We sought to examine the AEs following placebo administration in placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials (RCTs) for motor neuron disease (MND). ⋯ Our study indicates significant nocebo in trials for MND treatment, adversely affecting adherence and efficacy of current treatments in clinical practice, with additional implications for trial design.