ABSTRACT

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation(NMES) treatment applied through electrodes placed on the neck in patients with dysphagia, and assess the safety of the treatment.Methods : NMES was administered for 10 dysphagia patients with a modified hand-held powered neuromuscular electrical stimulator connected to two pair of electrodes positioned on the neck for 1hour a day and 10times in 2weeks. The swallowing score was given between 0(aspirates own saliva) and 6(normal swallow) on the basis of the type of liquid consistency which can be swallowed by a patient without aspiration through Videofluroscopy(VFS) before and after NMES was started. The clinical findings of swallowing were evaluated before and after treatment and then went through comparative analysis by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results : The swallowing score significantly increased from 1.6 to 4.4(p＜0.05), and 90% of the patients showed improved swallowing. Also, gag reflex, cough reflex, tongue movement and laryngeal excursion with respect to swallowing were significantly recovered compared to before NMES.Conclusion : Therefore, NMES for dysphagia is proved to be safe and effective as it activates the muscles involving swallowing in the neck as well as is helpful for recovering the clinical finding of swallowing.