The curative effects of magnetic versus electrical stimulation in treating pharyngeal dysphagia

Abstract

Objective To compare the curative effect of peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) with that of neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (NMES) for stroke survivors with pharyngeal dysphagia. Methods Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a PMS group, an NMES group and a control group, each of 20. In addition to routine swallowing training, the patients in the PMS and NMES groups were provided with PMS and NMES of the suprahyoid muscles respectively twice a day, six days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, all were evaluated using a standardized swallowing assessment (SSA), the functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Results Before the intervention there was no significant difference among the three groups in terms of any of the measurements. After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in all of the values in all three groups compared to before the treatment. The average SSA, FOIS and VFSS results of the PMS and NMES groups as reflected by scores on the penetration-aspiration scale and a videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale had improved significantly more than in the control group. And the PMS group had improved significantly more than the NMES group. Conclusion Peripheral magnetic stimulation is more effective than NMES therapy in treating stroke patients with pharyngeal dysphagia. Key words: Peripheral magnetic stimulation; Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Pharyngeal dysphagia; Stroke