Maximizing the Survival of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients: Current Perspectives

Table 2

Comprehensive components of the multidisciplinary caring clinics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

Health professional	Issues involved in caring for	Intervention
A neurologist with expertise in ALS	General care of the patient disease and progression	Riluzole and edaravone, Botox© injection for sialorrhea, spasticity, medication prescription
Specialized ALS nurse	Dysphagia, respiratory issues, general self-care	Coordinating the care provided by other health professionals in various interventions
Pulmonologist/respiratory therapist	Respiratory issues related to respiratory muscle weakness	BiPAP, Assisted ventilation techniques (e.g., NIV)
Dietitian, swallow therapist	Dysphagia, sialorrhea, weight stabilization, nutritional deficiencies	Providing general advice on nutritional habits, recommending PEG
Speech pathologist	Communication compromise (e.g., dysarthria)	Providing assistant communication devices
Physiotherapist	Limb weakness	Mobility support by appropriate equipment.; Recommend appropriate home modifications
Occupational therapist	Hand weakness	Evaluating for appropriate equipment
Neuropsychologist/psychologist, palliative care physician	Identifying concerns of the patient and relatives	Providing psychological support and counseling, caring for the grieving family

ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; NIV: noninvasive ventilation; PEG: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.
ALS and motor neuron disease national/international associations should also engage in providing support for the patient.