The Effect of Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy in Acute/Subacute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Dysphagia.
10.5535/arm.2014.38.2.153
- Author:
Kyeong Woo LEE
1
;
Sang Beom KIM
;
Jong Hwa LEE
;
Sook Joung LEE
;
Jae Won RI
;
Jin Gee PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. jun7432@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Dysphagia;
Acute stroke;
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- MeSH:
Deglutition;
Deglutition Disorders*;
Electric Stimulation;
Electric Stimulation Therapy*;
Humans;
Muscles;
Stroke*
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2014;38(2):153-159
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of an early application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with traditional dysphagia therapy (TDT) versus traditional dysphagia therapy only in acute/subacute ischemic stroke patients with moderate to severe dysphagia by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). METHODS: Fifty-seven dysphagic stroke patients were enrolled in a VFSS within 10 days after stroke onset. Patients were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Thirty-one patients received NMES combined with TDT (NMES/TDT group) and 26 patients received TDT only (TDT group). Electrical stimulation with a maximal tolerable intensity was applied on both suprahyoid muscles for 30 minutes, 5 days per week during 3 weeks. The swallowing function was evaluated at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 weeks after baseline. Outcomes of the VFSS were assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). RESULTS: The mean ages were 63.5+/-11.4 years in the NMES/TDT group and 66.7+/-9.5 years in the TDT group. Both groups showed a significant improvement on the FOIS after treatment. The FOIS score was significantly more improved at 3 and 6 weeks after baseline in the NMES/TDT group than in the TDT group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: An early application of NMES combined with TDT showed a positive effect in acute/subacute ischemic stroke patients with dysphagia. These results indicated that the early application of NMES could be used as a supplementary treatment of TDT to help rehabilitate acute/subacute dysphagic stroke patients by improving their swallowing coordination.
