Fundamentals of Airway Clearance Techniques (ACT) for Physiotherapists managing Chronic Lung Disease

Clinical A/Prof Brenda Button (Accredited ACT Instructor, IPG)

Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne. Brenda has over 30 years experience in paediatric and adult CF & respiratory medicine and teaches airway clearance courses nationally and internationally.

Janet Bondarenko, Physiotherapy Dept, The Alfred, Melbourne

Janet has more than 20 years experience in adult respiratory medicine & is currently undertaking a PhD by Research in patients with difficult to treat asthma and dysfunctional breathing in chronic lung disease.

Esta Tannenbaum, Senior Clinician, Royal Children’s Hospital

Esta previously worked at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town and Great Ormond Street, London. She has more than 25 years experience managing infants and children with chronic lung disease.

· Active Cycle of Breathing Technique

· Autogenic drainage (AD) & assisted AD adult & paediatrics

· Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and oscillating PEP techniques and devices

· Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation

· Exercise as alternative form of ACT / adjunctive to ACT

· Inhalation therapy adjunctive to and in combination with ACT

· Positioning for optimal deposition of inhaled medications and airway clearance

· Dysfunctional breathing

· Common musculoskeletal problems in patients with chronic lung disease

· Clinical application of ACT in adults & children with chronic lung disease including bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and COPD

· Practical sessions for physiotherapists with patients demonstrating ACT

This course is recommended for physiotherapists who have not completed a previous airway clearance course, or who are looking to refresh their knowledge in this area. This course is suitable for recently graduated physiotherapists working with patients with chronic lung disease.