Swallowing Rehabilitation With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Sarcopenic Dysphagia: A Case Report

Sarcopenic dysphagia is defined as dysphagia caused by sarcopenia of the whole body and swallowing-related muscles. We present a case of sarcopenic dysphagia with improved swallowing function after strength training of swallowing-related muscles using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). A 78-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with an intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreatic duct. After admission, the patient developed aspiration pneumonia and was placed on strict bed rest without oral intake, which resulted in progressive malnutrition. At the start of swallowing rehabilitation, he had whole-body sarcopenia, nutritional impairment, and weakness in swallowing-related muscles, with a maximum tongue pressure of 21.4 kPa and an opening force of 5.1 kg. In the videofluoroscopic swallowing study, he aspirated 3 cc of a moderately thick liquid. Consequently, as part of swallowing rehabilitation, strengthening training of swallowing-related muscles with NMES was undertaken for about three weeks. As a result, the maximum tongue pressure and opening force improved to 28.4 kPa and 6.8 kg, respectively. A subsequent videofluoroscopic swallowing study showed no obvious aspiration during any procedure. The patient was discharged on the 86th day on a regular diet. As a component of swallowing rehabilitation, NMES may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with sarcopenic dysphagia.