CompletedNot Applicable

Innovative Measures of Speech and Swallowing Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders

United States100 participantsStarted 2013-10

Plain-language summary

This study is evaluating the use of two painless, non-invasive technologies in the assessment of muscle health over time in both healthy volunteers and patients who have diseases that affect the nervous system.

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 90 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Established, or clinically probable, neurologic diagnosis with at least the potential for associated bulbar dysfunction * Age 20-90 years Exclusion Criteria: * History or presence of a medical condition that substantially impacts bulbar function * Age under 20 or over 90 years

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Muscle Health over 18 months by Standard Ultrasound

Timeframe: Baseline, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, Month 15, and Month 18

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02118805

SponsorBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2021-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) trials

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 90 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.