This is a prospective interventional study of patients with Friedreich's Ataxia that receive respiratory strength training for a period of 12 weeks with two research visits at the beginning and at the end of the study period. Visits include swallowing evaluation with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, pulmonary function testing, surface electromyography and patient surveys.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1
Respiratory Strength training involves inhaling/exhaling against a fix resistant to potentially increase respiratory strength
Clinical Research Center
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Force Vital Capacity
Forced Vital Capicity will be measured before and after the 12 week intervention
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) will be measured before and after the 12 week intervention
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) will be measured before and after the 12 week intervention
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure (SNIP)
Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure (SNIP) will be measured before and after the 12 week intervention
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
Swallowing
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) will be measured before and after the 12 week intervention.
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
Surface Electromyography (sEMG)
sEMG will be placed on the skin to measure muscle activity involved in breathing and swallowing
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
Diaphragm Ultrasound
Diaphragm movement will be measured through an ultrasound probe positioned on the skin before and after the 12 week intervention.
Time frame: Through study completion (4 months)
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