Provisional best practices guidelines for the evaluation of bulbar dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(FOCHT) GARAND, KENDREA L.; BERRY, JAMES D.; CHAPIN, JENNIFER L.; YOUNG, EUFROSINA; SILANI, VINCENZO; GOUTMAN, STEPHEN A.; NALIPINSKI, PAIGE; SULLIVAN, STACEY L.; GREEN, JORDAN R.; PATTEE, GARY L.; COSTELLO, JOHN; SMITH, RICHARD A.; YUNUSOVA, YANA; MACKLIN, ERIC A.; HEITZMAN, DARAGH; GELINAS, DEBORAH F.; STIPANCIC, KAILA; PIORO, ERIK P.; PLOWMAN, EMILY K.; BROOKS, BENJAMIN RIX; ATASSI, NAZEM; MCILDUFF, COURTNEY E.; LOCATELLI, EDUARDO R.; WYMER, JAMES; PERRY, BRIDGET; O'BRIEN, MEGHAN; GARGIULO, GISELLA

MUSCLE & NERVE

JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Año: 2019 vol. 59 p. 531 - 536

0148-639X

AbstractIntroduction: Universally established comprehensive clinical bulbar scales objectively assessing disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are currently lacking. The goal of this working group project is to design a best practice set of provisional bulbar ALS guidelines, available for immediate implementation within all ALS clinics.Methods: ALS specialists across multiple related disciplines participated in a series of clinical bulbar symposia, intending to identify and summarize the currently accepted best practices for the assessment and management of bulbar dysfunction in ALS Results: Summary group recommendations for individual speech, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and swallowing sections were achieved, focusing on the optimal proposed level of care within each domain.Discussion: We have identified specific clinical recommendations for each of the 3 domains of bulbar functioning, available for incorporation within all ALS clinics. Future directions will be to establish a formal set of bulbar guidelines through a methodological and evidence-based approach. Muscle Nerve 59:531-531, 2019.