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Review
. 2020 Aug 12;9(8):2618.
doi: 10.3390/jcm9082618.

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

Isabel Diéguez-Pérez  1 , Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez  1
Affiliations
Review

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

Isabel Diéguez-Pérez et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: 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 (n = 7) or in combination with other techniques such as strengthening exercises and manual therapy techniques (n = 14), with this second modality of treatment having greater benefits for patients.

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: deglutition; electric stimulation; neurology; physical therapy modalities; stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA chart detailing the article selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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