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Article
Psychological Health in Patients with ALS is Maintained as Physical Function Declines
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
  • Julia Cupp, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey , Pennsylvania
  • Zachary Simmons, Department of Neurology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey , Pennsylvania
  • Arthur Berg, Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey , Pennsylvania
  • Stephanie H. Felgoise, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Susan M. Walsh, ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter
  • Helen E. Stephens, Department of Neurology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey , Pennsylvania
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2011
Abstract

Although quality of life (QoL) in patients with ALS has been shown to be independent of physical function and to be maintained over time, the status of psychological health over the disease course has not been studied using an ALS-specific instrument. It is also uncertain how three common interventions – antidepressants, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and non-invasive ventilatory support (NIPPV) – influence psychological health. We performed a retrospective review of the Negative Emotion subscale (NES) score, a measure of psychological health within the ALS-Specific QoL Instrument. Analysis of 72 patients over three months, and of a subset of 48 over six months, showed stability of psychological health despite a decline in the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised to 88.4% of baseline at three months and 82.6% at six months. NES did not change after antidepressants, PEG, or NIPPV, although there was a suggestion of improvement with antidepressants in a subgroup. In conclusion, as with overall QoL, psychological health of ALS patients as measured with an ALS-specific instrument does not decline as physical function is lost. Supports found in a multidisciplinary ALS clinic may influence expectations, facilitate response shift, and stabilize psychological health while masking the independent effects of specific interventions.

PubMed ID
21294667
Comments

This article was published in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, Volume 12, Issue 4, July 2011, Pages 290-296.

The published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17482968.2011.554555

Copyright © 2012 Informa Plc.

Citation Information
Julia Cupp, Zachary Simmons, Arthur Berg, Stephanie H. Felgoise, et al.. "Psychological Health in Patients with ALS is Maintained as Physical Function Declines" Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration Vol. 12 Iss. 4 (2011) p. 290 - 296
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephanie_felgoise/9/