Highly recommended for those involved in respiratory care for neuromuscular conditions, the review article Airway Clearance in Neuromuscular Disease by Sheers, Andersen, and Chatwin (2024) revisits and builds upon key guidelines established by the European Neuromuscular Center (ENMC) (reference: Toussaint et al. Neuromuscul Disord . 2018 Mar;28(3):289-298. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2017.10.008.). This new review synthesizes recent advancements in airway clearance techniques (ACTs) and emphasizes the critical need for personalized and multidisciplinary respiratory care in neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). Recognizing the complexity of managing respiratory complications in conditions like ALS, SMA, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the authors present evidence supporting both proximal and peripheral ACTs tailored to individual needs.
The review particularly addresses recent findings on mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) and lung volume recruitment (LVR), highlighting gaps in the current evidence base and the role of expert consensus in guiding therapy. With the changing trajectory of neuromuscular diseases due to prolonged life expectancies, Sheers et al. advocate for ACTs that not only manage secretion clearance but also optimize respiratory function over time. This article is an invaluable resource for clinicians aiming to integrate the latest evidence and practical recommendations into patient-centred respiratory care.
The full article is accessible here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2024.04.009.
