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Efficacy of electrical stimulation and exercise for dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer: A randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Langmore Susan E.,
McCulloch Timothy M.,
Krisciunas Gintas P.,
Lazarus Cathy L.,
Daele Douglas J.,
Pauloski Barbara Roa,
Rybin Denis,
Doros Gheorghe
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24197
Subject(s) - medicine , dysphagia , head and neck cancer , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , swallowing , population , physical medicine and rehabilitation , radiation therapy , surgery , nursing , environmental health
Abstract Background Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a highly sought after but poorly studied treatment for dysphagia among patients with head and neck cancer with dysphagia. This study investigated the efficacy of NMES in this patient population. Methods In this double‐blinded, randomized controlled trial, 170 patients with head and neck cancer experiencing posttreatment dysphagia were randomized into active NMES + swallow exercise versus sham NMES + swallow exercise groups. Outcomes after a 12‐week program included changes in fluoroscopy measures, diet, and quality of life. Results After the 12‐week program, the active NMES group had significantly worse Penetration Aspiration Scale scores than the sham group. Both groups reported significantly better diet and quality of life. No other measures were significant. Conclusion NMES did not add benefit to traditional swallow exercises. Unfortunately, swallow exercises were not effective by themselves either. For patients with head and neck cancer with moderate to severe dysphagia caused by radiation therapy, current behavioral therapies are of limited help in reversing long‐term dysphagia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 38 : E1221–E1231, 2016