EMST150

02/26/2026

Join us live (virtually!) for a comprehensive course on the clinical application of Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST).

We’ll cover safety considerations, patient selection, dosing, troubleshooting, and how to successfully implement an RMST program in your own facility.

Led by Lauren Meffen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLT, this course will break down the science behind RMST and translate the evidence into practical, real-world strategies you can use immediately.

Walk away with the foundational knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to confidently integrate RMST into your practice.

Register here: EMST150.com/events

RespiratoryCare EvidenceBasedPractice

02/23/2026

Telehealth is expanding access to dysphagia care but can EMST be delivered effectively online?
Join us for a free webinar with Dr. Michelle S. Troche, Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, as she shares the evidence behind EMST via telehealth in neurodegenerative disease, including Parkinson’s.

You’ll learn:
• What the research shows
• How to implement EMST remotely
• Dosage, calibration, and troubleshooting tips
• Insights from a large clinical trial

Practical. Evidence-based. Free.
Register now: emst150.com/events

02/18/2026

Can breathing muscle training support pelvic floor function?

A small pilot study explored whether high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (IMT), performed at home, could help women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

What they did:
• 22 women completed 8 weeks of breathing muscle training
• One group trained at high intensity, the other performed a sham program

What they found:
• Pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance improved
• Inspiratory muscle strength increased
• Urinary symptoms did not significantly change

Why this matters:
The diaphragm and pelvic floor work together. Strengthening breathing muscles may be a useful addition to pelvic floor rehabilitation, particularly in home-based or telehealth models.

Early findings, but a promising direction for pelvic health research.

Aktan, R., Yakıt Yeşilyurt, S., Özalevli, S. et al.Effects of Home-Based, Telerehabilitation-Assisted High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training on Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Urinary Symptoms in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Int Urogynecol J (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-026-06517-7

02/17/2026

To all the Physical Therapists who stopped by the Aspire Respiratory Products booth at -THANK YOU.

This year felt different.

Last year, many conversations started with,
“Isn’t that just a speech device?”

This year, the conversation changed.

Physical Therapists came to us already understanding the role that respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) can play across patient populations, from cardiopulmonary and neurologic conditions to pelvic health, geriatrics, and performance.

The shift was clear. We are grateful for the thoughtful discussions, clinical curiosity, and shared commitment to elevating patient care.

If you connected with us, or if you’re exploring how RMST fits into your practice, we would love to continue the conversation.

Reach out. Let’s keep building momentum together.

-Aspire Respiratory Products

02/13/2026

So excited to be at The APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) 2026 -Anaheim, California

We are excited to meet you at . Come meet us at booth #355

02/12/2026

We are excited to meet you at . Come meet us at booth #355

02/10/2026

What is myositis?
Myositis is a rare autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks muscle tissue. This can cause muscle weakness, including the muscles used for breathing and swallowing.

Why this matters
People with myositis (IBM, dermatomyositis, polymyositis) often experience dysphagia and respiratory weakness, which can impact safety and quality of life.

What this study looked at
• 19 adults with myositis
• 5 weeks of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
• Training at 70% of maximum expiratory pressure using the EMST150®

What improved
• Swallowing symptoms ↓
• Breathing muscle strength ↑
• Expiratory airflow ↑

Key insight
Improvements in airflow were strongly linked to reduced swallowing symptoms, suggesting a functional connection between breathing and swallowing.

Arnold, M., Bradley, M. & Salmon, K. Respiratory muscle strength training in the myositis population. J Rare Dis 5, 15 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44162-026-00157-7

02/06/2026

More evidence supporting respiratory muscle strength training in the aging population!

A recent study in older adults found that better pulmonary function and stronger respiratory muscles were associated with better cognitive performance and lower risk of cognitive impairment.

Notable findings:
✔️ Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) showed the strongest association
✔️ Expiratory muscle strength (MEP) stood out among respiratory measures
✔️ Pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength acted synergistically
✔️ Genetic risk (APOE) did not change the relationship

While this was a cross-sectional study and cannot establish causation, it reinforces the importance of respiratory performance in aging and neurological health.

An important question moving forward:
Can targeted respiratory muscle training support long-term cognitive resilience?

ClinicalResearch AspireRespiratory

He, Z., Cheng, G., Li, S., Zhao, F., Fei, H., Zeng, Y., & Yi, S. (2026). Association Between Pulmonary Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength and Cognitive Function in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 21, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S559130

02/03/2026

Thank you! We’re deeply grateful for the clinicians from across the globe who join us each month. Building accessible, high-quality education is at the heart of what we do, and your thoughtful feedback reminds us why this work matters.

Don’t miss out on next month’s free webinar, link in bio to register or emst150.com

01/30/2026

Free Webinar | Telehealth + EMST in Neurodegenerative Disease

How do we safely and effectively deliver evidence-based dysphagia and airway interventions remotely?

A growing body of research shows that telehealth expands access to specialized care while maintaining high patient, care partner, and provider satisfaction. But how do we translate that into real-world treatment?

Join Dr. Michelle Troche as she shares emerging evidence and practical strategies for delivering Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) via telehealth, including:

✔️ What the research says about EMST outcomes in neurodegenerative disease
✔️ Feasibility data comparing in-person vs. telehealth EMST in Parkinson’s disease
✔️ Treatment dosage and remote device calibration
✔️ Troubleshooting common challenges

If you’re a clinician working in dysphagia, neuro, rehab, or telehealth, this is a must-attend session.

Registration is free: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3PRBDLljQ5Wn5sQ5WuKFjA

SpeechPathology RespiratoryCare EvidenceBasedPractice AspireRespiratory

01/28/2026

Can just 4 weeks of inspiratory muscle training make a difference in older adults?

A randomized study in healthy men ages 60-80 found that short-term inspiratory muscle training led to meaningful improvements in function and muscle performance.

After training, participants showed:

✅ increase in diaphragm thickness
✅ improvement in 6-minute walk distance
✅ improvement in a fatty liver density biomarker
✅ Modest physical QoL improvements
✅ Moderate mental health improvements over time

This reinforces what many clinicians see in practice: targeted breathing training can improve functional capacity, even over a short time frame.

*The liver finding is interesting but early. Only one biomarker was measured, so this doesn’t yet prove broader metabolic benefit.
Still, it adds to the growing evidence that inspiratory muscle training may impact more than just the lungs.

Geriatrics

Konca, E., Yılmaz, C., Bayrakdaroğlu, S., Ceylan, H. İ., Arslan, A., Ocak, H., Karakulak, İ., Sarı, R., Uzun, R. N., Soylu, H. H., Ceylan, L., & Muntean, R. I. (2026). Short-Term Inspiratory Muscle Training Enhances Functional and Metabolic Health in Older Adults. Healthcare, 14(2), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020249

01/22/2026

Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) shows promise in improving respiratory strength, lung function, and functional fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).While perceived fatigue improvements remain limited, the findings support incorporating RMT into MS rehabilitation with further research needed to establish standardized protocols and long-term benefits.

Highlights:

Point 1: RMT enhances respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in MS.

Point 2: RMT reduces functional fatigue but not perceived fatigue severity.

Point 3: This meta-analysis confirms RMT’s clinical value for MS respiratory care.
Chen, Y., Meng, K., Jiang, G., Xiang, X., Liu, Y., & Yi, Q. (2026). Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Function and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 106953.