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Upper Airway Control Therapy (U-ACT): The Development of a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction
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October 2025
Authors: Jemma Haines, Jaclyn A. Smith, Stephen J. Fowler, Janelle Yorke
Comment by Mark Lavercombe: This fascinating paper describes a multi-step approach to the development of a potential intervention in patients with inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO). After a systematic review of existing literature and interviews with speech and language therapists and patients, a series of potential behaviour change techniques were collated and mapped against behaviour change theories using the ‘behaviour change wheel’. Refinement using the Theory and Techniques Tool allowed further iteration before assessment of acceptability was undertaken. The final ‘Upper Airway Control Therapy’ (U-ACT) intervention is reported, along with guidance around its implementation. Further research to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of U-ACT will be required.
Medical Education Editor for Respirology
Dr Mark Lavercombe was appointed in this specialist editor role in 2021 to further expand and strengthen Respirology’s contribution to medical education.
Located in Melbourne, Australia, he works as a clinician in respiratory health and sleep disorders at Western Health and is affiliated with The University of Melbourne as a distinguished expert in medical education.
He became a member of our Editorial Board in 2016 with the responsibility of selecting new Respirology publications with educational value, which has grown into a curated article selection featured on this page, as a benefit to APSR members.
Dr Lavercombe also authors a column in Respirology on his most recent choices and their specific value to continued medical education for our readers around the world.
