Application and effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the rehabilitation of oropharyngeal dysphagia: a literature review

Objective: To analyze the different methods of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) in the intervention of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Methods: Review using the descriptors: “deglutition disorders” and “electrical stimulation” in PubMed, BVS, SciELO, and MedLine, from 1997 to 2015. Classified according to the CAPES Integrated System (SiCAPES), PEDro, and Jadad scales. Results: There were 165 articles found, from which 25 were selected according to the theme. Between 2009-2012 there were more publications (60%, n = 15). Case-control was the most reported type of study (28%, n = 7). Most individuals were investigated after a stroke (44%, n = 11). The most popular type of therapy considered NMES at rest and traditional therapy (TT) (28%, n = 8), NMES during swallowing and TT (28%, n = 7), and NMES at rest (24%, n = 3). Vital Stim® was the most cited electrical stimulation device (32%, n = 8). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was the most reported (76%, n = 19). As to location, electrodes placed on the neck (48%, n = 12) and submental (44%, n = 11) stood out. Electric current commonly used: FES (40%, n = 10) and TENS (24%, n = 6). Fluoroscopy was the prevailing evaluation method (52%, n = 13). For SiCAPES distribution, the greatest number of materials was classified as B2 (36%, n = 9) and A1 (16%, n = 4). On the PEDro scale, the studies mostly scored 11 (24%, n = 6) and 10 (16%, n = 4). Considering the Jadad scale, (24%, n = 6) the studies scored 3 points. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of therapeutic effect on hyolaryngeal complex elevation, an important airway defense mechanism during swallowing, and the use of FES current and electrodes placed on the submental region or neck. Further research is needed, with defined etiological groups, to prove the therapeutic effect in the medium and long term.