Digital Respiratory Comorbidity Detection using a wearable device in PALS

ALS causes widespread muscle weakness that can affect not just arm and leg strength but also the muscles that control breathing, talking and swallowing. The risk of developing other health issues goes up when muscle weakness occurs. For example, breathing and swallowing difficulties put people at greater risk of developing pneumonia, and leg weakness increases the risk of a blood clot forming in the leg. Wearable digital technology may be able to help detect the development of these potentially life-threatening health conditions in people with ALS so they can be treated sooner. This project will explore whether data collected remotely via a ring device worn by people with ALS can detect pulmonary events. The device used in this study can measure heart rate, temperature and breathing rate, along with steps and measures of physical activity. If this technology is able to catch the development of pneumonia and pulmonary embolism (blood clot that goes to the lungs) earlier, then we can potentially prevent severe complications.