Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Swallowing / 대한연하장애학회지

ABSTRACT

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been increasingly used on dysphagic patients with the aim of improving their swallowing ability. However, there were insufficient clinical and basic knowledge of NMES in regard to the selection of stimulation parameters, which optimize improvement in swallowing-related muscular function. This review summarizes the results of clinical and basic researches in terms of acute and chronic physiologic effects of different stimulation protocols, explains the role of the various parameters of stimulation in determining the effect of NMES training protocols, and gives clinical recommendations for the selection of stimulation parameters. We speculate that this topic is important for medical doctors and therapists who want to investigate and practice NMES.