HFCWO Vest Plus Mechanical Cough Assist Versus Cough Assist Alone on Respiratory Infections in AL… (NCT07656714) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
HFCWO Vest Plus Mechanical Cough Assist Versus Cough Assist Alone on Respiratory Infections in ALS: a Pilot Trial
Spain14 participantsStarted 2021-04-15
Plain-language summary
This pilot randomised single-blind trial evaluated whether adding high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) via chest vest (ComfortCough II) to mechanical cough assist improves respiratory outcomes and reduces respiratory infections and hospital admissions compared to mechanical cough assist alone in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receiving non-invasive ventilation.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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
. Confirmed diagnosis of ALS according to the Revised El Escorial criteria
. Under follow-up at the Multidisciplinary ALS Unit of Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena
. Age between 18 and 90 years
. Peak cough flow less than 270 L/min or forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 80% of predicted
. Ability to travel to the Neurolab centre
Exclusion criteria
. Need for invasive mechanical ventilation
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
1
Number of respiratory infections
Timeframe: 6 months (3 months intervention plus 3 months follow-up)
. Total dependence on non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
. Severe bulbar involvement
. Cognitive impairment
. Comorbidities incompatible with the intervention: pregnancy, rib fractures, known risk of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, cerebrospinal fluid fistula, pneumocephalus, or recent barotrauma