Tag: non-invasive ventilation

Respiratory support: the big debate on Symposium day 2

Sara BoltonLeave a comment

Different ways to support breathing were the main focus of the second clinical session on day two of the Symposium. Researchers from two MND Association funded studies presented their work looking at diaphragm pacing and also the withdrawal of ventilation support.

Lungs - Symp session pictureDiaphragm pacing

The NeuRx diaphragm pacing system (DPS) is a device developed to aid breathing by stimulating the large muscle that helps you to breathe – the diaphragm.

In 2011, the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) in the USA approved NeurRx DPS as a treatment for respiratory failure in motor neurone disease (MND). The treatment was not required to go through the series of clinical trials that is needed for a new drug. The FDA approved it on the basis of one small study because at the time the probable benefit to health outweighed the risk of using it.

Due to this lack of clinical evidence, this prompted further research in the USA and Europe to test its effectiveness on symptom management and survival.Read More »

The Allied Professionals Forum

Research Development TeamLeave a comment

MND Association Trustee, Julie Draper, attended the International Alliance of ALS/MND Association’s Allied Professional Forum (APF) yesterday. This one day event aimed at healthcare professionals had a number of inspiring talks; including one by Association-funded researcher Dr Christina Faull based at the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice – LOROS.

Dr Christina Faull, Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice (LOROS)
Dr Christina Faull(right), Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice (LOROS)

Here Julie blogs about her experience:

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