Virtual reality to ease ongoing breathlessness in people with ALS on breathing support
Tests immersive virtual reality for ongoing breathlessness in adults with ALS using breathing support.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Alleviating Persistent Dyspnea in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients Treated With Non-Invasive Ventilation Through Immersive Virtual Reality
Key facts
- Where
- Paris, FranceSee the site
Where in France
- Service de PneumologieParis, FranceTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
- Trial code
- NCT06021938
- Record updated
- 25 February 2026
- Original description
The evolution of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is marked by dyspnea, anxiety and pain, major determinants of suffering induced by this disease. The only palliative treatment for respiratory failure is non-invasive ventilation (NIV), which compensates failing respiratory muscles and relieves dyspnea, improves quality of life and increases life expectancy. In ALS patients, the persistence of dyspnea outside of NIV sessions has highlighted the need for therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of persistent dyspnea, including immersive virtual reality (IVR) and auditory distraction through music (music therapy). This study evaluates the effect of IVR on respiratory discomfort in ALS patients with persistent dyspnea treated with NIV.Read full original descriptionShow less
Alleviating Persistent Dyspnea in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients Treated With Non-Invasive Ventilation Through Immersive Virtual Reality
The evolution of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is marked by dyspnea, anxiety and pain, major determinants of suffering induced by this disease. The only palliative treatment for respiratory failure is non-invasive ventilation (NIV), which compensates failing respiratory muscles and relieves dyspnea, improves quality of life and increases life expectancy. In ALS patients, the persistence of dyspnea outside of NIV sessions has highlighted the need for therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of persistent dyspnea, including immersive virtual reality (IVR) and auditory distraction through music (music therapy). This study evaluates the effect of IVR on respiratory discomfort in ALS patients with persistent dyspnea treated with NIV.
Inclusion: ≥ 18 years old; Diagnosis of ALS confirmed according to the revised criteria of El Escorial; Respiratory failure due to diaphragmatic dysfunction treated by non-invasive ventilation for more than a month; Care provided in an ambulatory setting (day care hospital); Persistent dyspnea at rest ≥ 3 across a numerical scale (0 to 10) in a semi-sitting position; Stable clinical condition, i.e., no episode of acute cardiac, respiratory and/or neurological failure leading to hospitalization in the previous 4 weeks; Free, prior and informed written consent about the study has been obtained; Benefiting a social security (French health insurance system).
Exclusion: Diagnosed psychiatric illness (severe depression, psychosis) or receiving antipsychotic treatment; Neurological disorders according to a neurological evaluation dating from less than one year, in particular diagnosed dementia (frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, etc.), brain pathology (tumor, stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc.); Visual impairment; Acrophobia; Claustrophobia; Photophobia; Hearing loss; Subject under guardianship or curatorship.