Giselle D Carnaby1, Lisa LaGorio2, Scott Silliman3, Michael Crary1. 1. Center for Upper Aerodigestive Functions, School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. 2. Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA. 3. Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Dysphagia following stroke is prevalent; however, dysphagia treatment is often applied haphazardly and outcomes unclear. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has received increased attention as a treatment for post-stroke dysphagia; but application data remain conflicted. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated effectiveness and safety of an exercise-based swallowing therapy (McNeill Dysphagia Therapy: MDTP) +NMES for dysphagia rehabilitation following stroke. METHODS:Stroke patients (n = 53, x̅ age: 66 [13.2], 47.2% male) with dysphagia admitted to sub-acute rehabilitation hospital were randomised to MDTP + NMES [NMES], MDTP + sham NMES [MDTP] or usual care [UC] swallowing therapy groups. Patients were treated for 1 hour per day for 3 weeks and monitored to 3 months by a blinded evaluator. Outcomes included clinical swallowing ability, oral intake, weight, patient perception of swallow and occurrence of dysphagia-related complications. RESULTS: Post-treatment dysphagia severity and treatment response were significantly different between groups (P ≤ .0001). MDTP demonstrated greater positive change than either NMES or UC arms, including increase in oral intake (χ2 = 5, P ≤ .022) and improved functional outcome by 3 months post-stroke (RR = 1.72, 1.04-2.84). Exploratory Cox regression revealed the MDTP group conferred the greatest benefit in time to "return to pre-stroke diet" of 4.317 [95% CI: 1.08- 17.2, P< .03]. CONCLUSION: Greater benefit (eg reduction in dysphagia severity, improved oral intake and earlier return to pre-stroke diet) resulted from a programme of MDTP alone vs NMES or UC.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Dysphagia following stroke is prevalent; however, dysphagia treatment is often applied haphazardly and outcomes unclear. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has received increased attention as a treatment for post-stroke dysphagia; but application data remain conflicted. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated effectiveness and safety of an exercise-based swallowing therapy (McNeill Dysphagia Therapy: MDTP) +NMES for dysphagia rehabilitation following stroke. METHODS:Strokepatients (n = 53, x̅ age: 66 [13.2], 47.2% male) with dysphagia admitted to sub-acute rehabilitation hospital were randomised to MDTP + NMES [NMES], MDTP + sham NMES [MDTP] or usual care [UC] swallowing therapy groups. Patients were treated for 1 hour per day for 3 weeks and monitored to 3 months by a blinded evaluator. Outcomes included clinical swallowing ability, oral intake, weight, patient perception of swallow and occurrence of dysphagia-related complications. RESULTS: Post-treatment dysphagia severity and treatment response were significantly different between groups (P ≤ .0001). MDTP demonstrated greater positive change than either NMES or UC arms, including increase in oral intake (χ2 = 5, P ≤ .022) and improved functional outcome by 3 months post-stroke (RR = 1.72, 1.04-2.84). Exploratory Cox regression revealed the MDTP group conferred the greatest benefit in time to "return to pre-stroke diet" of 4.317 [95% CI: 1.08- 17.2, P< .03]. CONCLUSION: Greater benefit (eg reduction in dysphagia severity, improved oral intake and earlier return to pre-stroke diet) resulted from a programme of MDTP alone vs NMES or UC.
Authors: Klayne Cunha Matos; Vanessa Fernandes de Oliveira; Paula Luanna Carvalho de Oliveira; Fabíola Aureliano Carvalho; Maria Renata Matos de Mesquita; Camila Gabriella da Silva Queiroz; Levi Mota Marques; Débora Lilian Nascimento Lima; Fernanda Martins Maia Carvalho; Pedro Braga-Neto Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2022-06-22 Impact factor: 2.903