Safety and efficacy of diaphragm pacing in patients with respiratory insufficiency due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (DiPALS): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

In this work the therapeutic value of a diaphragm pacemaker  is examined on a trial in patients with amyothropic lateral sclerosis. Patients underwent a sophisticated surgical procedure and their diaphragm was permanantly electrically stimulated. The patients which were stimulated survived about up to one year less than the control group. This study is an example that a clinical “gut feeling” or “intuition” does not lead always into the right direction, but may seriously harm the patient. This is particularly true for interventions which stress the sick motor system.