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AmJCaseRep

Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Patients with Post-Stroke Dysphagia

Qiao Jing, Xiaoyan Yang, Qijin Reng

Med Sci Tech 2016; 57:1-5

DOI: 10.12659/MST.895042

Available online: 2016-01-04

Published: 2016-01-04


BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy is currently used to treat patients with dysphagia after stroke (DAS); it provides better evidence for utilizing rehabilitation resources and maximizing beneficial effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NMES therapy on patients with DAS.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present prospective study involved 60 patients with DAS who were randomly divided into 2 groups – treatment and control – with 30 patients each. Both groups received swallowing training and conventional medical treatment. Additionally, the patients in the treatment group received NMES therapy. Curative effects, swallowing function, aspiration, laryngeal elevation, food residue, and food intake scores of the 2 groups were evaluated and compared before and at 10 days after the treatments.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in swallowing function, aspiration, laryngeal elevation, food residue, or food intake scores before treatment between the 2 groups. At 10 days after the treatment, the curative effects, swallowing function, aspiration, and laryngeal elevation scores were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05); however, the food residue and food intake scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: NMES therapy can effectively improve the swallowing function in patients with DAS as compared with patients who received conventional therapies.

Keywords: Deglutition Disorders, Neuromuscular Agents, Stroke



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