Effects of Noninvasive Ventilation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Complication of Bulbar Impairment

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative illness that causes gradual loss of muscle function. Patients eventually develop bulbar impairment, requiring extensive respiratory support. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has gained attention as an easily accessible method with promising benefits. We conducted this systematic review to outline the therapeutic effects of NIV, add to previous publications discussing this topic by providing updates on newly completed and ongoing studies, and identify limitations that must be addressed in future trials. A search of PubMed and Cochran for relevant primary studies yielded 26 publications. Studies indicate NIV use is associated with improvements in quality of life, regardless of the severity of bulbar impairment. However, NIV’s benefits on survival were limited to patients with less bulbar impairment. In addition, our review found several limitations that undermine the efforts to establish a definitive treatment regimen. Future studies will need to address these problems in order to provide patients with better respiratory care.