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Review Article
November 2009

Evidence-Based Systematic Review: Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing and Neural Activation

Publication: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume 18, Number 4
Pages 361-375

Abstract

Purpose

To systematically review the literature examining the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on swallowing and neural activation. The review was conducted as part of a series examining the effects of oral motor exercises (OMEs) on speech, swallowing, and neural activation.

Method

A systematic search was conducted to identify relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals from 1960 to 2007. All studies meeting the exclusion/inclusion criteria were appraised for quality and categorized as efficacy or exploratory research based on predetermined criteria.

Results

Out of 899 citations initially identified for the broad review of OMEs, 14 articles relating to NMES qualified for inclusion. Most of the studies (10/14) were considered exploratory research, and many had significant methodological limitations.

Conclusions

This systematic review reveals that surface NMES to the neck has been most extensively studied with promising findings, yet high-quality controlled trials are needed to provide evidence of efficacy. Surface NMES to the palate, faucial pillars, and pharynx has been explored in Phase I research, but no evidence of efficacy is currently available. Intramuscular NMES has been investigated in a single Phase I exploratory study. Additional research is needed to document the effects of such protocols on swallowing performance.

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References

References marked with an asterisk indicate studies included in the EBSR.
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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume 18Number 4November 2009
Pages: 361-375

History

  • Received: Dec 19, 2008
  • Accepted: May 12, 2009
  • Published in issue: Nov 1, 2009

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Key Words

  1. dysphagia
  2. neuromuscular electrical stimulation
  3. evidence-based systematic review
  4. oral motor exercises

Authors

Affiliations

Heather Clark
Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
Cathy Lazarus
NYU Langone Medical Center, New York
Joan Arvedson
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Tracy Schooling [email protected]
Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
Tobi Frymark
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Rockville, MD

Notes

Contact author: Tracy Schooling, National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #245, Rockville, MD 20850-3289. E-mail: [email protected].

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Citing Literature

  • Efficacy of interferential current transcutaneous electrical sensory stimulation through the neck skin for treating dysphagia in children with disabilities: A case series, SAGE Open Medical Case Reports, 10.1177/2050313X221149527, 11, (2023).
  • Effects of oropharyngeal exercises on the swallowing mechanism of older adults: A systematic review, International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 10.1080/17549507.2023.2221409, 26, 5, (696-713), (2023).
  • Effect of Device-Assisted Therapy in Children With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Rapid Review, Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10.1044/2023_PERSP-23-00085, 9, 1, (215-227), (2023).
  • Impact of neck percutaneous interferential current sensory stimulation on swallowing function in patients with Parkinson's disease: A single-arm, open-label study protocol, Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101158, 33, (101158), (2023).
  • Neurostimulation in People with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Randomised Controlled Trials—Part I: Pharyngeal and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10.3390/jcm11030776, 11, 3, (776), (2022).
  • A Systematic Review of Reported Methods of Stimulating Swallowing Function and their Classification, The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, 10.1620/tjem.256.1, 256, 1, (1-17), (2022).
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for children with dysphagia: a systematic review, BMJ Open, 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055124, 12, 3, (e055124), (2022).
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Post Stroke Dysphagia: A Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106554, 31, 8, (106554), (2022).
  • Grundlagen der funktionellen Dysphagietherapie (FDT), Schluckstörungen, 10.1016/B978-3-437-44418-0.00010-4, (283-435), (2022).
  • A Method to Improve Swallowing Function by Cervical Interferential Current Electrical Stimulation頚部干渉波電気刺激を利用した嚥下機能改善方法, The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 10.2490/jjrmc.58.28, 58, 1, (28-33), (2021).

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