The effects of electromyographic biofeedback in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback therapy (EMGBFT) in treating dysphagia after stroke.Methods Patients diagnosed with dysphagia after stroke were recruited and randomly divided into a control group (n =22),an electrostimulation group (ES,n =25) and an EMGBFT group (n =23).The control group received conventional treatment,while the patients in the other groups additionally received Vitalstim ES or EMGBFT 5 times per week for 3 weeks.Before and after the trial,deglutition function was evaluated through surface electromyography (sEMG) and using a standardized swallowing assessment (SSA).Results After 3 weeks of treatment,the mean sEMG amplitude,deglutition duration and SSA score and improved significantly in comparison to the baseline in all three groups.All were also significantly better in the two treatment groups than in the control group.Importantly,the mean sEMG amplitude,deglutition duration and SSA score were all significantly better in the EMGBFT group than in the ES group.Conclusion EMGBFT can promote better deglutition among patients with dysphagia after stroke more effectively than ES or conventional treatment.