Effectiveness of Different Application Parameters of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Dysphagia after a Stroke: A Systematic Review

• Main Authors: Isabel Diéguez-Pérez, Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: deglutition; stroke; electric stimulation; neurology; physical therapy modalities
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/8/2618

Background:<i> </i>Dysphagia causes severe complications among people with a stroke. Physiotherapy allows the cure of this pathology, and among the tools it offers is neuromuscular electrical stimulation. However, this is a technique that has not been protocolized. Therefore, it was considered necessary to carry out a systematic review on the efficacy of the various parameters of application of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation in dysphagia generated after a stroke. Methods: A systematic search for publications was conducted in March 2020 in the Pubmed, Cinahl, Medline, Web of Science and Scopus databases, using as search terms: Electric stimulation therapy, Deglutition disorders and Stroke. Results: 21 articles were obtained in which the application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation was applied in isolation (<i>n</i> = 7) or in combination with other techniques such as strengthening exercises and manual therapy techniques (<i>n</i> = 14), with this second modality of treatment having greater benefits for patients.<i> </i>Conclusion<i>: </i>The greatest efficacy of this technique is reached when applied at 60-80 Hz, 700 μs of pulse duration, at the motor intensity threshold and in sessions of 20–30 min.