Far Infrared Irradiation for Control, Management and Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinical Trial

Official title:

Phase 1 Study to Determine the Efficacy of Using Far Infrared Radiation for the Control, Management and Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00673140
• Other study ID #: GAAD-ALS-CTP1
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: Phase 1
• First received: May 6, 2008
• Last updated: August 14, 2009
• Start date: May 2008
• Est. completion date: June 2010

Study information

• Verified date: August 2009
• Source: GAAD Medical Research Institute Inc.
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Health Canada
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's s Disease, or Maladie de Charcot) is a progressive, usually fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement.

This study will investigate the use of far infrared radiation for the control, management and treatment of ALS.

Description:

As a motor neuron disease, ALS causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy due to that denervation. The patient may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement except of the eyes.

Observations from our research studies indicate that, far infrared rays provide energy to the body, improve the autonomic functions of the nervous system, restore the functions of the endocrine system, strengthen the immune system, improve blood circulation and increase the level of oxygen in the cells and promote the regeneration of muscle cells, nerves and brain cells.

It is hereby postulated that irradiation using far infrared, with wavelength between 5 to 20 microns, of the central nervous system, the endocrine system and the whole body could prevent, control, manage or possibly lead to complete rehabilitation of people who have ALS.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 7
• Est. completion date: June 2010
• Est. primary completion date: May 2010
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with ALS

Exclusion Criteria:

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Motor Neuron Disease
• Sclerosis

Intervention

Radiation:
• Far Infrared Radiation (5µm to 20µm wavelength)
Radiation: Far Infrared Radiation (5µm to 20µm wavelength). Far Infrared radiation for 30 to 40 minutes per treatment session.
• Far infrared radiation
Far infrared radiation at a frequency of 5 microns to 20 microns for 30 to 40 minutes per session.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	The Centre for Incurable Diseases	Toronto	Ontario

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
GAAD Medical Research Institute Inc.

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Therapy for ALS		2 years	No
Secondary	Rehabilitation of ALS patients		2 Years	No