The Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Function in Stroke Patients with Dysphagia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Dysphagia is a complication that often occurs and triggers the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia and death from stroke. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a muscle strengthening therapy and sensorimotor recovery with electrical stimulation that can improve swallowing function. This study aims to find evidence of the effectiveness of NMES therapy on swallowing function in stroke patients with dysphagia. The method used in this research is a systematic review through online databases, namely: PubMed, ProQuest, Sciencedirect, and Wiley Online Library, on articles with full text criteria, using Indonesian or English, publications in the last 5 years, and a quasi-experimental research design and randomized controlled trials. Search articles using keywords "stroke", "cerebrovascular accident", "dysphagia", "neuromuscular electrical stimulation", "swallowing function", and "deglutitions function" combined using the boolean operator AND or OR. The search results found 10 articles that match the inclusion criteria. From 10 articles, there was 1 quasi-experimental article and 9 randomized controlled trial articles. The results showed that NMES could be an optional intervention to improve swallowing function after a stroke. Based on the reviews, NMES is effective in improving swallowing function in stroke patients with dysphagia; more high-quality evidence is needed to determine the proper procedure and other treatments that can be combined with NMES therapy.