Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Neurological Pharyngeal Dysphagia

Abstract

This study was done to find the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) over anterior neck muscles. Sixteen patients, age range 50 to 80 years with pharyngeal dysphagia of neurological origin were included for study. A similar age-matched control group of 16 patients was taken from medical records. Detailed history, clinical assessment, investigations that are a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopic study of swallowing (VFS) was done. Subjective response (percentage of total diet taken orally) and penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) score at the beginning of treatment were noted. NMES was given to the study group along with swallow therapy. The suprahyoid muscles were stimulated regularly for 2 weeks. The reassessment was done after 2 weeks. The control group received only swallow therapy but no NMES. The results of the control group were also noted. Changes in the percentage of the total quantity of diet taken orally were asked. Upgradation in PAS score was assessed using FEES and VFS. The satisfactory improvement was found within 2 weeks in the study group. This took about 2 months in the control group. Hence, NMES was found to be an effective tool for dysphagia management.