Dr Judy Hough

Deputy Head of School
School of Allied Health

Judy Hough has been lecturing within the Discipline of Physiotherapy on the Brisbane campus since 2011. She is currently the Course Coordinator for Physiotherapy and Deputy Head of School of School of Allied Health on the Brisbane campus. In 2009 she completed her PhD investigating the effect of chest physiotherapy on lung function in preterm infants. This research combined with over 30 years’ clinical experience working with critically ill infants and children, results in frequent requests for advice on infant respiratory management from physiotherapists around the world

In her research, she has pioneered the use of electrical impedance tomography in newborns, including those born prematurely, to assess lung function. She has challenged the widely held belief that ventilation distribution in babies is gravity dependent and different to adults, leading to changes in how infants and children are positioned to optimise respiratory function. She has also led research into Nasal High Flow (NHF), which resulted in significant knowledge gain of respiratory physiology in infants and children.

Her research vision is to advance the supportive respiratory care of critically ill adults, infants, and children by using advanced bedside imaging and physiological tools such as electrical impedance tomography and lung ultrasound. This will increase precision of supportive care by maximizing respiratory support and minimising ventilator associated complications, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality in infants, children and adults requiring respiratory support.

Select publications

1. Dopper A, Steele M, Bogossian F, Hough J. High flow nasal cannula for respiratory support in term infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD011010. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011010.pub2/.
2. Anthony Trojman, Judith Hough; Julie Hides; Louise Gustaffson; Orlando Flores; Jennifer Paratz. (2023) Physiotherapy practices when treating patients with COVID-19 during a pandemic: A survey study. Heart and Lung. 2023, 57:152-160.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.09.012.
3. Bronagh McAlinden, Suzanne Kuys, Judith Hough. A systematic review of the clinimetric properties of tools used to measure the effects of chest physiotherapy in mechanically ventilated infants and children aged 0-16 years. Physiotherapy. 2022, 117:47-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2022.08.010.
4. Dr Judith Hough, Miss Jaimi Barton, Dr Luke Jardine. A quality appraisal using the AGREE II instrument of endotracheal tube suction guidelines in neonatal intensive care units. Australian Critical Care Nursing. 2021, 34(6): 524-529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2021.02.001.
5. Blazek EV, East CE, Jauncey-Cooke J, Bogossian F, Grant CA, Hough J. Lung recruitment manoeuvres for reducing mortality and respiratory morbidity in mechanically ventilated neonates. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD009969. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009969.pub2. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009969.pub2/full.
6. McAlinden, B., Kuys, S., Schibler, A., Hough J.L. Chest physiotherapy improves regional lung volume in ventilated children. Crit Care. 2020, 24: 440. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-03156-2.
7. Hough JL, Shearman AD, Jardine L, Schibler A. Nasal High Flow in Preterm Infants: a dose-finding Study. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2020;55:616-623. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.24617.
8. Judith Hough, Daniel Levan, Michael Steele, Kristine Kelly, Megan Dalton. Simulation-based education improves student self-efficacy in the physiotherapy assessment and management of paediatric patients: An observational study. BMC Medical Education. 2019;19:463. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1894-2.
9. Judith Hough, Hannah Christensen Paediatric Hospital in the Home: Clinical Outcomes for Treatment of a Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Exacerbation. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2021:37(12):1298-1305 https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1709591.
10. Hough JL, Shearman AD, Jardine L, Caldararo D, Schibler A. Effect of randomization of nasal high flow rate in preterm infants. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2019;54: 1410‐1416. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.24418.
11. Jardine L, Chen J, Hough JL. Chest wall mesenchymal hamartoma in an infant: Evaluation with electrical impedance tomography. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2019;54(11):E14-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.24483.
12. Chambers R, Lucht A, Hough J. (2016) Prevalence and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction in an adult cystic fibrosis population: A questionnaire survey. International urogynecology journal. 2016; 28(4):591-604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-3152-z.
13. Hough J, Trojman A, Schibler A. Effect of time and body position on ventilation in premature infants. Pediatric Research. 2016; 80(4):499-504. https://www.nature.com/articles/pr2016116.
14. Mayfield S, Jauncey-Cooke J, Hough JL, Schibler A, Gibbons K, Bogossian F. High-flow nasal cannula therapy for respiratory support in children (Review) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 3. Art No.: CD009850. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24604698/.
15. Hough JL, Pham TMT, Schibler A. Physiological Effect of High Flow Nasal Cannula in Infants with Bronchiolitis. Pediatric and Critical Care Medicine. 2014;15(5): e214-e219. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24705569/.
16. Hough JL, Johnston L, Brauer S, Woodgate P, Schibler A. Effect of body position on ventilation distribution in ventilated preterm infants. Pediatric and Critical Care Medicine. 2013;14(2):171-177. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23314179/.
17. Hough JL, Johnston L, Brauer S, Woodgate P, Pham T, Schibler A. Effect of body position on ventilation distribution in preterm infants on continuous positive airway pressure. Pediatric and Critical Care Medicine 2012; 13(4):446-51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21926660/
18. Hough JL, Shearman AD, Jardine LA, Davies MW. Humidified high flow nasal cannulae: current practice in Australasian nurseries. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2012;48(2):106-13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21470336/
19. Schibler A, Pham TMT, Dunster KR, Foster K, Barlow A, Gibbons K, Hough JL. Reduced Intubation Rates for Infants after Introduction of High Flow Nasal Prong Oxygen Delivery. Intensive Care Medicine. 2011;37(5):847-52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21369809/
20. Hough JL, Johnston L, Flenady VJ, Woodgate PG. Chest physiotherapy for reducing respiratory morbidity in infants requiring ventilatory support. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008;16(3):CD006445. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18646156/
21. Dunlop S, Hough J, Riedel T, Fraser JF, Dunster K, Schibler A. Electrical impedance tomography in extremely prematurely born infants and during high frequency oscillatory ventilation analyzed in the frequency domain. Physiol Meas. 2006;27(11):1151-65. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17028408/

Projects

• 2020 – 2024 - Electrical Impedance Tomography of Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome during nebulised surfactant. Collaborators: Aerogen (San Francisco), Dr Luke Jardine (Mater Health), Jeanette Asselin
• 2019 – 2023 - Changes in lung volume of High-Flow Nasal Cannula compared to Nasal CPAP in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants. Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, San Diego. PI: Anup Katheria
• 2015 – 2017 - High Flow Nasal Cannula Dose Finding Study in Neonatal Intensive Care. Funded by Betty McGrath Research Fellowship, Mater Research $62,864.00. PI: J Hough
• 2014 - Electrical Impedance Tomography. Mater Foundation. $94,000.00. PI: Judy Hough
• 2013 – 2020 - Does high frequency oscillatory ventilation combined with intermittent sigh breaths improve oxygenation compared to high frequency oscillatory ventilation without sigh breaths in neonates? Mater Foundation, Golden Casket $29,394 PI: Dr Christian Heiring
• 2008 – 2010 - Assessment of Lung De-recruitment Resulting from Suction of the Endotracheal Tube in Ventilated Preterm Infants. ANZ Trustees Children’s Medical Research Establishment Grant program. $50,000 PI: J Hough

Accolades and Awards

• 2021: Recognition for having Role Modelled Mater Values – Mater Health Services
• 2019: Nominated for Service to the Physiotherapy Profession – APA (Qld Branch)
• 2013: Good Practice in Assessment in a Capstone Project - Dr Jane Butler, Dr Judith Hough, Dr Marcella Danks, Faculty of Health Sciences, ACU
• 2009: Awarded Queensland Health Physiotherapist Consultant (HP6).
• 2009: Yvonne Burns Award for Excellence in Paediatric Research, SHRS, University of Qld
• 2007: Best Oral Presentation. Evidence Based Practice Conference, Brisbane
• 2005: Dorothy Hopkins Scholarship for Clinical Study, APA (Qld Branch)
• 2005: Jill Nosworthy Prize for Excellence in Research, APA Cardiothoracic Assoc.
• 2004 – 2007: Australian Postgraduate Award, Commonwealth Govt. Australia
• 1994: Best Presentation, Australian Perinatal Society, Sydney

Appointments

• Deputy Head of School of Allied Health (Brisbane), Australian Catholic University
• Casual Physiotherapist, Mater Health
• Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Children’s Health Research – UQ

Affiliations

• Academy Member of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ)
• Allied Health Committee Member of the World Federation of Paediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS)
• Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) & National Special Interest Groups
  • Cardiothoracic National Special Group (Qld Branch)
  • Paediatric National Special Group (Qld Branch)
• Member of European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC)

International Journal Review

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• BMJ Open
• International Urogynecology Journal
• Pediatric Research
• European Respiratory Journal
• Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

Public engagement activities

• Physiotherapy Research Foundation – 2021 – 2024
• Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation - 2020
• Mater Foundation
• National Research Foundation Africa - 2010