Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the timing of laryngeal vestibule closure during the pharyngeal stage of swallowing in healthy adults. The theoretical framework proposed that NMES applied to these muscles would present a perturbation to laryngeal vestibular closure reaction time (the amount of time for the laryngeal vestibule to close once the swallowing reflex has been triggered) by providing an antagonistic force to the direction of vestibule closure.MethodsNine healthy adults (2 males, 7 females) received ten consecutive stimulations applied to the submandibular hyolaryngeal muscles while performing dry swallows. Laryngeal vestibule closure reaction time (LVCrt) and the laryngeal vestibule closure duration (LVCd) were measured from videoflouroscopic images pre-stimulation and post-stimulation.ResultsResults indicated a significant effect of stimulation on LVCrt but not LVCd. LVCrt was significantly reduced (timing was faster) during swallows immediately after stimulation compared to pre-stimulation.ConclusionsFindings from this study support the supposition that laryngeal muscles respond to perturbations via adaptation learning, which might be used for rehabilitation of neuromuscular swallowing impairment. This pilot study supports the need for further research.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the timing of laryngeal vestibule closure during the pharyngeal stage of swallowing in healthy adults
This study found significant immediate effects of NMES applied to the submandibular muscles on Laryngeal vestibule closure reaction time (LVCrt) during swallowing in healthy non-dysphagic volunteers
The total duration of closure during the pharyngeal stage of swallowing was not affected by stimulation
Summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the timing of laryngeal vestibule closure during the pharyngeal stage of swallowing in healthy adults. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used by allied health professionals as a treatment modality for neuromotor impairments including muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and decreased range of motion [1,2,3]. If clinicians are to utilize NMES as a valid treatment modality, it is critical that they have knowledge of the physiological principles underlying its application and be able to apply those principles to impaired swallowing physiology. In order to increase muscular strength and tone, treatments often overload (stress) a muscle by providing a resistance to contraction force. When a resistance is applied against contraction, the muscle is stressed and over time the body will respond by adapting to the stress. One way muscles adapt to the stress of an overload or resistance against contraction is to hypertrophy.
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