RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on swallowing function in brain injury patients with dysphagia.Methods Sixty-four patients with dysphagia were divided into A group (n=21,stimulated with T =700 ms,R =2 s,frequency =0.19 Hz),B group (n =22,T =700 ms,R =1 s,frequency =0.29 Hz),and C group (n =21,T =340 ms,R =400 ms,frequency =0.68 Hz).One pair of electrodes was placed at the midline under the chin over the submental muscle group.The intensity of stimulation ranged from 5 to 11 mA.The treatments were once a day,5 times a week,with 20 times as one course.The results were assessed with Kubota's water swallowing test before and 4 weeks after treatment.Results The water swallowing test scores were significantly reduced after treatment in all 3 groups,with significantly greater reductions in A group compared with B and C group.The effectiveness rate was 81％ in A group,73％ in B group and 67％ in C group,all statistically significant differences.Conclusion NMES can be an effective and safe treatment for dysphagia after brain injury.NMES appears to be most effective with T =700 ms,R =2 s,and a frequency of 0.19 Hz.