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Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Post-Stroke Dysphagia Treatment: A Systemic Evaluation and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Abstract

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a novel treatment method that stimulates patients’ swallowing functions. This systemic review was designed to evaluate the impact of NMES on dysphagia in stroke patients. Databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from the date of establishment to January 28th, 2022. Two investigators identified all included studies and compared the swallowing function after NMES treatment with traditional therapy (TT). The Cochrane risk bias assessment tool was utilized to analyze the quality of included studies. Research outcomes included Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QoL), Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Dysphagia Outcomes and Severity Scale (DOSS), the Repeat Salivary Swallowing Test (RSST), and Water Swallowing Test (WST). We extracted the mean and standard deviation of specific outcomes at the baseline level and after the treatment in both NMES and TT groups for subsequent meta-analysis. 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were included, and remarkable differences were found between patients treated with or without NMES in respect of FOIS scores (SMD = 0.48; 95% CI 0.26–0.70, P < 0.0001), PAS scores (SMD = − 0.56; 95% CI 1.01–0.10, P = 0.02), and SWAL-QoL scores (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI 0.00–1.14, P = 0.05). No significant difference was manifested in WST, RSST, and DOSS (SMD: − 0.02; 95% CI  0.38–0.35, P = 0.93). Evidence suggests that NMES is more effective for post-stroke dysphagia patients than treatment without NMES.

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Funding

This study was supported by the General Program of Huangpu District Health Commission of Shanghai (HLM202220).

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Author notes

  1. Zhenni Wang and Zihao Xiao have contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Therapy, Shanghai Ruijin Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, 200023, China

    Zhenni Wang, Zihao Xiao, Qin Shen & Na Zhao

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200025, China

    Weiming Zhang

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Wang, Z., Xiao, Z., Shen, Q. et al. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Post-Stroke Dysphagia Treatment: A Systemic Evaluation and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Dysphagia (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-023-10626-6

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