Evaluating the Efficacy of VitalStim Electrical Stimulation Combined with Swallowing Function Training for Treating Dysphagia Following an Acute Stroke

Overview

Journal Clinics (Sao Paulo)

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Nov 10

PMID 34755758

Citations 3

Authors

Yu Liang

Jing Lin

Hui Wang

Shufen Li

Fang Chen

Lili Chen

Ling Li

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored the clinical efficacy of VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function training for patients with dysphagia following an acute stroke.

Methods: Seventy-two patients with dysphagia following an acute stroke were admitted to our hospital and were further divided into two groups using prospective research methods. There were 36 cases in each group according to the random number table method. The control group received conventional medical treatment and swallowing function training while the experimental group received conventional medical treatment and VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function training.

Results: The overall response rate of the experimental group (94.44%) was higher than that of the control group (77.78%), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the upward and forward movement speeds of the hyoid bone, anterior movement speed, the grading score of the Kubota drinking water test, Caiteng's grading score, serum superoxide dismutase, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine levels, Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, and multiple quality of life scores of the two groups showed improvement after treatment. While the standard swallowing assessment score, serum malondialdehyde level, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score decreased, the aforementioned indices showed a significant improvement in the experimental group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function is effective for treating dysphagia following an acute stroke. It can effectively improve swallowing, neurological, and limb motor functions, reduce complications, promote physical recovery, and improve overall quality of life of patients.

Citing Articles

Impact of Modified Diet, Swallowing Exercises, and Neuromuscular Electrostimulation on Severity of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia of Geriatric Patients.

Rugaitiene M, Lesauskaite V, Uloziene I, Kalinauskaite G, Juska M, Damuleviciene G Medicina (Kaunas). 2025; 60(12.

PMID: 39768809 PMC: 11677869. DOI: 10.3390/medicina60121927.

Biomarkers associated with functional improvement after stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Chen G, Wu M, Chen J, Zhang C, Liu Q, Zhao Y Front Neurol. 2023; 14:1241521.

PMID: 37731856 PMC: 10508962. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1241521.

Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Conventional Swallowing Rehabilitation Training on Post-stroke Dysphagia.

Wang L, Shi A, Xue H, Li Q, Wang J, Yang H Dysphagia. 2023; 38(6):1537-1545.

PMID: 37142734 PMC: 10611834. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-023-10581-2.

Combined conventional speech therapy and functional electrical stimulation in acute stroke patients with dyphagia: a randomized controlled trial.

Matos K, de Oliveira V, de Oliveira P, Carvalho F, de Mesquita M, da Silva Queiroz C BMC Neurol. 2022; 22(1):231.

PMID: 35733098 PMC: 9215026. DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02753-8.

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