A review found mixed effects of neuromodulation in ALS studies
Original source
Current perspectives on neuromodulation in ALS patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (opens in a new tab)Compass summarised this from the study's abstract.
Study details
- Study type
- Systematic review
- Studied in
- Human
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies found that neuromodulation was associated with differences in muscle testing, resting motor threshold and ALS functionality. It found no significant difference in voluntary isometric contraction, quality of life or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Why this matters
The findings suggest that electrical, magnetic or photonic stimulation may affect some measures of muscle function and brain connectivity in ALS. However, this review does not establish a proven treatment benefit or change current care.
Limitations and context
The review included only 10 studies from a search completed on August 8, 2023. The studies varied in stimulation frequency and often lacked reliable placebo controls. The reported effects therefore need confirmation in larger, well-controlled studies, and the review did not show a quality-of-life benefit.