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Published on: September 27, 2018
Electrical neuromuscular stimulation in dysphagia: current status.
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, USA. ludlowcx@jmu.edu
Summary
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) for dysphagia rehabilitation shows mixed results. While beneficial, it is equivalent to traditional therapy and may pose risks for severely affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, impacts airway protection.
- Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) is a therapeutic modality used in dysphagia rehabilitation.
- Understanding TES's physiological and clinical effects is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the physiological effects of neck TES.
- To evaluate the clinical evidence for adding TES to dysphagia rehabilitation protocols.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological studies on TES effects on the hyo-laryngeal complex.
- Analysis of recent controlled clinical trials investigating TES in dysphagia therapy.
Main Results:
- Physiological studies indicate TES lowers the hyo-laryngeal complex, potentially hindering airway protection.
- Submental TES has not demonstrated effective hyo-laryngeal complex elevation.
- Clinical trials show mixed results; most suggest TES benefits dysphagia treatment, but effectiveness compared to traditional therapy varies.
Conclusions:
- TES is a supplementary tool for dysphagia rehabilitation.
- Current evidence suggests TES is equivalent to traditional therapy, with limited superior benefits in specific measures.
- Caution is advised for severely dysphagic patients due to potential risks associated with TES-induced hyo-laryngeal lowering.
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