Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used as a therapeutic intervention for dysphagia. However, the therapeutic effects of NMES lack supporting evidence. In recent years, NMES combined with traditional swallowing therapy has been used to improve functional recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of effortful swallowing combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hyoid bone movement and swallowing function in stroke patients. Fifty stroke patients with mild dysphagia who were able to swallow against the resistance applied by using NMES and cooperate actively in training were included. This study was designed as a 6-week single-blind, randomised, controlled study. In the experimental group, two pairs of electrodes were placed horizontally in the infrahyoid region to depress the hyoid bone. The NMES intensity was increased gradually until the participants felt a grabbing sensation in their neck and performed an effortful swallow during the stimulation. In the placebo group, the same procedure was followed except for the intensity, which was increased gradually until the participants felt an electrical sensation. All participants underwent this intervention for 30 min per session, 5 sessions per week, for 6 weeks. Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) were carried out before and after the intervention and kinematics of the hyoid bone and swallowing function were analysed based on the VFSS. The experimental group revealed a significant increase in anterior and superior hyoid bone movement and the pharyngeal phase of the swallowing function. This intervention can be used as a novel remedial approach in dysphagic stroke patients.

We demonstrated that neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the infrahyoid region combined with effortful swallowing effectively increased hyoid bone movement and reduced aspiration in dysphagic patients with Parkinson's disease.

RST using kinesiology tape with stretch produces immediate mechanical correction of RSP in seated male workers.

Background: When a palpable breast mass is detected, a biopsy is usually performed even if the mass reveals probably benign morphologic features on imaging, as there is relatively little data reporting the outcome of such breast masses. Purpose: To determine the negative predictive value for sonographic evaluation of palpable breast masses with probably benign morphology, and to assess whether follow-up may be an acceptable alternative to immediate biopsy. Material and Methods: Of the 1399 sonograms of palpable masses from January 2004 to September 2005, there were 397 patients with masses of probably benign morphology. This study included 274 of these patients (age range 12–64 years, mean age 34 years) with 312 palpable masses that were pathologically confirmed by fine-needle aspiration ( n=7), ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy ( n=180), or surgical biopsy ( n=125). The false-negative rate, negative predictive value (NPV), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the SPSS statistical software package for Windows, version 12.0. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 312 masses, there were 310 benign lesions and two malignancies, resulting in a false-negative rate of 0.6% (NPV 99.4%, P value=0.0432, 95% CI 0.0–1.5%). Conclusion: The negative predictive value of sonography for palpable breast masses with probably benign morphology is high (99.4%). Therefore, short-term imaging follow-up can be an acceptable alternative to immediate biopsy, similar to the management of nonpalpable probably benign lesions (BI-RADS category 3).