Abstract

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on poststroke dysphagia. Methods A total of 90 patients with poststroke dysphagia were enrolled. They were randomly divided into either a NMES+ rTMS group or a NMES+ sham rTMS group (n=45 in each group). The Kuhota water drinking test and Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) were used to assess the swallowing function. Results The scores of Kuhota water drinking test (F=82.001, P<0.001) and the SSA (F=33.743, P<0.001) before treatment, treatment of one course, treatment of two courses, and at 3 months after treatment in the NMES+ rTMS group had significant differences. Compared with before treatment, they were improved significantly for treatment of one course (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), two courses (all P<0.01), and at 3 months (all P<0.01) after treatment. The scores of Kuhota water drinking test (F=53.647, P<0.001) and the SSA (F=19.178, P<0.001) in the NMES+ sham rTMS group also had significant difference. Compared with before treatment, they had significant improvement for treatment of one course (all P<0.05), two courses (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) and at 3 months (all P<0.01) after treatment. The scores of Kuhota water drinking test for treatment of one course, two courses, and at 3 months after treatment (treatment of one course: t=2.217, P=0.02; treatment of two courses: t=2.406, P=0.019; at 3 months after treatment: t=2.128, P=0.037) and the SSA (treatment of one course: t=2.196, P=0.030, treatment of two courses: t=2.425, P=0.016; at 3 months after treatment: t=2.512, P=0.013) in the NMES+ rTMS group were significantly better than those in the NMES+ sham rTMS group. Conclusions High-frequency rTMS combined with NMES may significantly improve the swallowing function in patients with stroke. Its efficacy is superior to NMES. Key words: Stroke; Deglutition Disorders; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Treatment Outcome

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call