6/13/2026 - 6/13/2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific

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Christine M. Sapienza, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a distinguished speech-language pathologist, scientist, and academic leader recognized internationally for her expertise in respiratory muscle strength training (RMST), voice and swallowing disorders, and neurological rehabilitation. Over her career, Dr. Sapienza has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and seminal works on respiratory and phonatory rehabilitation. She has served as principal investigator on numerous NIH- and VA-funded research projects and developed evidence-based clinical protocols widely adopted across speech-language pathology and rehabilitation medicine. Her innovative translational work has transformed the clinical management of Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Sapienza is also a seasoned educator and continuing education speaker, known for her engaging and clinically grounded presentations.

Facilitator: Kim Gully, MS, CCC-SLP, CCM, CBIST
Disclosures: President & ASHA Continuing Education Administrator (CEA) of MSCC, Founder and Leader of New Start Support Group for TBI Survivors

Course Description
    Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach designed to improve respiratory and laryngeal function for patients with neurological, pulmonary, and voice disorders. This three-hour course, led by Dr. Christine M. Sapienza, will provide speech-language pathologists and rehabilitation professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the science, application, and clinical outcomes associated with RMST. The course emphasizes translational research findings and their direct application to patient care, empowering clinicians to confidently integrate RMST into therapy programs for individuals with dysphagia, dysphonia, and airway protection deficits.
    The course begins with an overview of respiratory muscle physiology and the mechanisms that underlie strength and endurance training of the inspiratory and expiratory systems. Foundational studies and clinical trials supporting the use of Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) and Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) will be reviewed, with discussion of how these interventions impact speech breathing, cough, swallowing safety, and phonatory control. Attendees will gain insight into how RMST enhances airway clearance, improves cough efficacy, and supports respiratory coordination during speech and swallowing tasks.
Participants will explore evidence-based training protocols, including device calibration, individualized dosing, progression strategies, and integration with existing voice and swallowing therapy techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying appropriate patient populations such as those with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and post-surgical weakness. Considerations for safety, contraindications, and monitoring of physiologic responses will be highlighted.
    Through demonstration and real-world case studies, learners will observe the practical implementation of RMST in clinical settings, including both inpatient and outpatient environments. Examples will illustrate multidisciplinary collaboration and outcome measurement, focusing on functionally meaningful changes in cough peak flow, subglottal pressure, and patient-reported communication and swallowing outcomes.
By the end of the session, participants will have the knowledge and clinical tools to evaluate patients for RMST candidacy, implement and monitor individualized programs, and document measurable outcomes to support reimbursement and efficacy. The course concludes with an interactive discussion designed to reinforce key learning points and answer participant questions, ensuring that attendees leave with both a solid scientific foundation and practical clinical competence in this innovative rehabilitation technique.

Learner Outcomes

• Explain the physiological rationale and scientific evidence supporting inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength training (IMST and EMST).
• Identify appropriate patient populations and contraindications for RMST use in clinical practice.
• Demonstrate correct setup, calibration, and implementation of RMST protocols, including progression and data tracking.
• Integrate RMST within a broader therapeutic framework for dysphagia, voice, and airway management in neurological and pulmonary disorders.

Time-Ordered Agenda
15 minutes	Introduction and Overview
45 minutes	Scientific Foundation of RMST
45 minutes	Clinical Implementation and Protocols
30 minutes	Case Studies and Video Demonstrations
30 minutes	Measuring Outcomes and Troubleshooting
15 minutes -	Summary and Q&A

Intended Audience
Speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants, and other rehabilitation professionals working in acute care, outpatient, and long-term care settings who provide services for patients with voice, swallowing, or respiratory-related disorders.

Instructional Level
Intermediate – designed for clinicians with foundational knowledge of speech, voice, or swallowing physiology who wish to expand their skills in RMST application.
Disclosures

• Financial: Dr. Sapienza receives royalites from Plural Publishing and speaker fees for educational webinars.
• Nonfinancial: Dr. Sapienza has published and presented extensively on RMST as part of her academic research and advocacy for evidence-based clinical practice.

In order to receive credit for this course participants must complete the following requirements:  
•    attend entire course
•    Join webinar on time and stay until course concludes
•    partial credit  not allowed
•    complete program evaluation/self assessment - must be completed within 7 days of completion of course in for attendance to be reported to ASHA CE Registry
•    certificate of completion will be awarded upon receipt of program evaluation

Special Requests
We encourage participation by all individuals.  If you have a disability or other special requests (visual, hearing, physical, etc.), please indicate your request in the designated section included in registration process. We will do our best to accommodate you, please allow a minimum of 14 days notice to allow us time to process your request.   

Refund Policy
Refund requests must be submitted in writing via email. Requests made more than 10 business days prior to course date will be subject to an administration fee of $15 of the registration fee if an additional cost is associated with the course.  Membership fees will not be refunded if member is not able to attend conferences that are included with annual fee.  Refund requests made less than 10 business days prior to any course that requires an additional fee for the course are subject to a $25 administrative fee.  This is to cover the costs associated with the course that have already been accrued based on preregistration.  No refunds for non-attendance will be issued on the day of, or after, the conference.

Cancellation Policy
If MSCC cancels a course that requires an additional registration fee, all members who have prepaid for the course will be refunded the registration fee in the form of the original payment within 30 business days of the cancellation of the course.   MSCC membership fee will not be refunded.

Satisfaction Guarantee & Complaint Policy
MSCC’s continuing education offerings are designed to help professionals achieve improved performance and results in all areas.  If for any reason you are not satisfied with the content and material presented, we encourage you to file a complaint via the process outlined on our website within 30 days of the completion of the course.  

Content Disclosures
The content of this course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area above.
 

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6/13/2026 - 6/13/2026

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