Focal vibration in dysphagia: A technological treatment for severe acquired brain injury rehabilitation

Abstract

Severe acquired brain injury (sABI), whether traumatic or nontraumatic origin, is an important cause of short-and long-term disability. 1,2 sABI can lead to altered physiological swallowing pattern. Dysphagia was reported in 8.1%-80% of stroke patients and in 27%-30% patients with traumatic brain injury. 3 Dysphagia is brought about by alterations that can affect the various stage of swallowing: from the preparatory phase to the oral phase, pharyngeal or oesophageal, depending on the localization of the injury and the characteristics of the patient. In long term, dysphagia can lead to various complications: pneumonia ab ingestis, infections related to the use of devices (e.g., the former central venous catheter for parenteral nutrition), local pressure injuries related to the use of