Abstract
[Purpose] To examine the effects of coughing exercise on respiratory functions and the autonomic nervous system in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. [Methods] The subjects were 6 patients in respite admission, and 10 healthy adults (as a control group). The respiratory functions and autonomic nervous system were compared with before and after an intervention of lower loading coughing exercise. [Results] Peak Cough Flow tended to increase after the coughing exercise, and the lower rib cage expanded significantly in the patient group. In the control group, Peak Cough Flow increased, and both the lower and upper rib cage expanded significantly. Cardiac parasympathetic nervous activity showed a pattern identical to the control group. [Conclusion] We suggest that ALS patients are able to use their expiratory muscles efficiently through the learning effect of the coughing exercise in the short-term. We suggest that the function of the autonomic nervous system can also be improved.
