Grant recipient: Professor Bernie Bissett 

Project title: Feasibility and patient acceptability of electronic inspiratory muscle training in ICU patients 

Year awarded: 2020

Grant: Jill Nosworthy Cardiorespiratory Grant

Grant amount: $24,987

Snapshot: Professor Bernie Bissett has been working to improve methods for strengthening the inspiratory muscles for around 15 years. She developed an inspiratory muscle trainer—a simple spring-loaded device providing resistance that can be increased as the patient’s inspiratory muscle strength improves. A study was conducted on 40 patients receiving mechanical ventilation across two hospital ICUs where they undertook daily breath training using an eIMT device. 

The findings: The randomised controlled trial showed that two weeks of eIMT in ICU patients resulted in stronger inspiratory muscles and an improved quality of life. Read the full study

Benefits to the profession: Studies identified that eIMT is safe, feasible and acceptable with critically ill participants who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. 

Read about the findings of Bernie’s study in InMotion and view the PRF-funded research translation.