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J La State Med Soc ; 162(1): 21-5, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20336953

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We observed a significant improvement in the complaints of dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer who had received noninvasive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (E-stim) of their pharyngeal muscles. We wanted to determine if the improvement in dysphagia was a result of decreased complaints of xerostomia and increased saliva production, since one of our first patients being treated with E-stim noticed a significant improvement in xerostomia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective trial to determine the effects of E-stim by evaluating saliva production and dysphagia questionnaires instituted by our speech pathologists on head and neck cancer patients that had received radiotherapy (XRT) and were to undergo E-stim for dysphagia. METHODS: Prior to the initiation of E-stim and one to two months after E-stim, saliva samples were collected and patients were asked to answer a Dysphagia and Xerostomia Index Questionnaire. All patients received E-stim two to four months after completing XRT. Patients received three E-stim treatments per week for a total of one to two months. Four electrodes were placed along anterior neck over pharyngeal muscles. E-stim was initiated using four to 30mA at 80-100 pulse-widths. RESULTS: Five patients that received either postoperative radiation therapy or concomitant chemoradiotherapy had been treated with E-stim. All five patients noticed a significant improvement in dysphagia. Five out of five patients noticed a definite increase in saliva production with symptoms of decreased intake of water with meals, sleeping longer hours at night, and increased moistness of lips. CONCLUSION: E-stim therapy appears to be an effective and approved treatment for dysphagia. Our study shows that it may also be beneficial for xerostomia in the post-irradiated head and neck cancer patients. SIGNIFICANCE: To determine if E-stim will benefit the previously irradiated patient with dysphagia and xerostomia.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/radiotherapy , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy/adverse effects , Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation , Xerostomia/therapy , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Humans , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , Recovery of Function , Saliva/metabolism , Xerostomia/etiology
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