Telerehabilitation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons, causing weakness and impairment of speech, swallowing, and respiratory functions. There is currently no cure, and treatment is largely focused on care through specialized multidisciplinary clinics, addressing symptom management, and maintaining function and quality of life. Access to such clinics can be challenging for many persons with ALS and their family, due to distance, time, and physical and emotional factors, particularly as the disease progresses. Further, the unrelenting advance of the disease often necessitates support and intervention by health workers between clinic visits. Telerehabilitation strategies for persons with ALS have been demonstrated to be effective and welcomed by patients and families, with outcomes appearing similar to in-person visits, with benefits of reduced stress and burden.