ABIS

Southside Physio proudly delivered ABIS in partnership with the Canberra Health Network (CHN). Read below for information on the program.

The ACT Breathlessness Intervention Service (ABIS) was a 20-month pilot project, directly translated from the Breathlessness Intervention Services developed and trialled in the UK. The model utilised a multidisciplinary team to address the Breathing – Thinking – Functioning domains of breathlessness.

CHN commissioned Southside Physio to deliver the service and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to evaluate the pilot. The ABIS pilot project was co-designed for the Canberra context. It was for patients suffering persistent breathlessness due to chronic disease and a GP referral is required. It involved an initial home visit by a Physiotherapist, with two to four follow-ups at home or by phone, by a Nurse or Physiotherapist. Interventions were non-pharmacological and aimed at both the patient and their carer.

Check out the following video to learn more about the benefits of the ABIS program:

In this video, you’ll hear firsthand how the program has helped individuals manage chronic breathlessness, improve their daily functioning, and regain confidence in their activities.

The ABIS program has now concluded. However, we are pleased to continue offering breathlessness intervention services through mobile physiotherapy. These services are available privately or can be accessed through other funding types such as the Home Care Package (HCP) or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), ensuring ongoing support for individuals experiencing persistent breathlessness. Please contact us for more information on how to access these services. Click here for the online referral form. (Referral form)

Case study

Tony* (not their real name) was referred to the ACT Breathlessness Intervention Service (ABIS) program with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe osteoarthritis, and hypertension. Tony loved his garden and produced almost all of his food himself. He also had a great love and passion for producing several products from his olive trees.

Due to being anxious about feeling breathless, Tony reduced his activity level severely. This led to an increase in pain due to his osteoarthritis, which then further reduced his activity level.

Through the ABIS program, we increased Tony’s activity level using a slow introduction to some functional activities, around and inside his house. Due to the education given, Tony was not scared or anxious to go into a state of being breathless and could manage it with breathing techniques. Slowly his osteoarthritis pain improved, and he managed a higher level of activity. Initially, he seriously considered knee replacements, but after completing the program his pain reduced enough to go without surgery.

In our last session, Tony managed to have a full olive production going. Tony was loving every moment of it and was so appreciative of what the program meant to him.