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

Clinical A/Prof Brenda Button Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Health, Monash University, Melbourne, (Accredited ACT Instructor, ECFS PhySIIG)

Brenda over 30 years experience in paediatric and adult respiratory medicine and teaches ACT internationally

Janet Bondarenko, Physiotherapy Dept, Alfred Health, Melbourne

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

Esta Tannenbaum, Senior Clinician, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Esta previously worked at Great Ormond Street, London. She has more than 25 years experience managing infants and children with chronic lung disease.

Meg Poulsen, Senior Clinician, The Alfred, Melbourne.

Meg has more than 10 years experience in adult respiratory medicine. She is currently undertaking a Masters by Research relating to exercise and people with CF

· 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.