Join us for an insightful webinar where Prof. Liz Ward will present the results of a recent series of studies led by Dr. Nicola Clayton, focusing on patients in the ICU setting. This initial work explores the safety, feasibility, and early efficacy of respiratory muscle strength training, including Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST), for patients with ICU-acquired weakness. This intervention can be utilized in tracheostomy patients to potentially improve swallow and progress tracheostomy weaning.

This webinar will explore the scientific paper- Clayton, N.A., Ward, E.C., Place, C., Scott, A., Maitz, P.K., & Kol, M.R. (Accepted In press - Dec 2025). Early dysphagia rehabilitation in critical care: A pilot study of safety, feasibility and effectiveness of a strength-based dysphagia treatment protocol in ICU-Acquired weakness. Australian Critical Care.

• Rationale for a strength-based rehabilitation approach for ICU patients
• Initial safety and feasibility data from case series work
• Evidence from a recent pilot cohort trial
• Impacts of ICU-acquired weakness on pulmonary outcomes and swallowing
• Insights into a larger multi-center randomized controlled trial currently underway in Australia and New Zealand

Expert panel

Prof. Liz Ward

Prof. Liz Ward is the Director of the Centre for Functioning and Health Research within Queensland Health and a Conjoint Professor at the University of Queensland. With over 450 publications, she is a leader in speech pathology, focusing on dysphagia care, head and neck cancer, and critical care. A telehealth pioneer, she has developed multiple models in speech pathology. In 2014, she was awarded “Fellow” of Speech Pathology Australia."

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