Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hyolaryngeal structural movement in post-stroke dysphagia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) on hyolaryngeal structural movement in post-stroke dysphagia.Methods Thirty patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10) namely group A,group B and group C.On the basis of routine swallowing training,medication and rehabiliation given to group C,group A was provided with VitalStim therapy on both suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles,while group B was only on suprahyoid muscles lasting 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,the Video Fluoroscopy Swallowing Study (VFSS) was carried out and the upward and forward displacement distances of the hyoid and thyroid cartilage when swallowing pap were measured.Moreover,water swallow test,dysphagia severity scale and DOSS scores were used to assess the swallowing function.Results After 2 weeks' treatment,the water drinking test score,dysphagia severity scale and DOSS scores increased significantly in all groups than before treatment.The water drinking test score of group A (2.40 ± 1.26) and group B (2.10 ± 0.99),dysphagia severity scale of group A (5.30 ± 1.89) and group B(5.20 ± 1.69),as well as the DOSS level of group A (5.20 ± 1.40) and group B (5.10 ± 1.45) were significantly better than the control group.However,no significant difference was observed in all measurements between group A and group B.The group B revealed a significantly increase in anterior hyoid excursion distance of (12.15 ± 7.59) mm,much bigger than that before treatment and that of group A and B after treatment.Conclusion NMES on the basis of traditional swallowing training can improve the swallowing function of post-stroke dysphagia patients,and NMES on suprahyoid muscles can further induce an increase in anterior hyoid excursion.