The effect of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the suprahyoid muscle activity during swallowing in subjects with dysphagia

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

the purpose of this study is to verify the effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on the suprahyoid muscle activity during swallowing, in post stroke subjects, with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Methods:

participated eight post-stroke subjects with dysphagia, male and female, referred to speech-language therapy to early swallowing rehabilitation. Before the first rehabilitation session, the patient´s muscular electrical activity of suprahyoid muscle was measured using Surface Electromyography Biofeedback. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Experimental Group (n=4): patients who received both traditional speech-language therapy and the application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. Control Group (n=4): patients submitted to traditional speech-language therapy. After eight sessions, all patients measured the suprahyoid activity with the Surface Electromyography Biofeedback. The pre and post treatment results were compared in both groups.

Results:

comparing the two groups average of time and amplitude of the muscle contraction during swallowing of saliva and two swallows of paste, no statistically significant differences were observed in the pre and post treatment values.

Conclusion:

the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on the parameters and methodology used did not prove efficient in promoting greater contraction of the suprahyoid muscles during the swallowing, in post-stroke individuals with oropharyngeal dysphagia. The data obtained may be due to the methodology used in this study relative to the protocol application and the way to measure the results.

Keywords:
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Deglutition Disorders; Stroke; Speech Therapy; Electromyography