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

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

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.