Efficacy of electrical stimulation and exercise for dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer: A randomized clinical trial. Head Neck 2016 Apr;38 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):E1221-31
Date
10/16/2015Pubmed ID
26469360Pubmed Central ID
PMC4833725DOI
10.1002/hed.24197Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84951299335 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 75 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a highly sought after but poorly studied treatment for dysphagia among patients with head and neck cancer with dysphagia. This study investigated the efficacy of NMES in this patient population.
METHODS: In this double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 170 patients with head and neck cancer experiencing posttreatment dysphagia were randomized into active NMES + swallow exercise versus sham NMES + swallow exercise groups. Outcomes after a 12-week program included changes in fluoroscopy measures, diet, and quality of life.
RESULTS: After the 12-week program, the active NMES group had significantly worse Penetration Aspiration Scale scores than the sham group. Both groups reported significantly better diet and quality of life. No other measures were significant.
CONCLUSION: NMES did not add benefit to traditional swallow exercises. Unfortunately, swallow exercises were not effective by themselves either. For patients with head and neck cancer with moderate to severe dysphagia caused by radiation therapy, current behavioral therapies are of limited help in reversing long-term dysphagia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 38: E1221-E1231, 2016.
Author List
Langmore SE, McCulloch TM, Krisciunas GP, Lazarus CL, Van Daele DJ, Pauloski BR, Rybin D, Doros GAuthor
Barbara R. Pauloski PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Deglutition Disorders
Double-Blind Method
Electric Stimulation Therapy
Exercise Therapy
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Treatment Outcome
