Laryngeal response patterns influence the efficacy of mechanical assisted cough in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

This cross-sectional study investigated why mechanical insufflation–exsufflation for the improvement of cough frequently fails in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar involvement (n=20), as compared with neurologically healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers (n=20). PCF was measured using a hand-held Vitalograph peak flow meter.