Ann Rehabil Med.  2019 Feb;43(1):11-18. 10.5535/arm.2019.43.1.11.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Masseter Muscle on Oral Dysfunction After Stroke

• Lee KW
• Kim SB
• Lee JH
• Lee SJ
• Park JG
• Jang KW

• KMID: 2440947
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2019.43.1.11

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine positive effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in conventional dysphagia therapy on masseter muscle oral dysfunction of patients after subacute stroke.
METHODS
Among subacute stroke patients who were diagnosed as oropharyngeal dysphagia by videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VFSS), those with oral dysfunction were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to a study group or a control group. The study group received NMES on masseter muscle and suprahyoid muscle simultaneously, while the control group received NMES only on suprahyoid muscle. NMES therapy session as applied 30 minutes each time, two times per day for a total of 20 sessions. Both groups received conventional dysphagia therapy for 2 weeks. All enrolled patients were evaluated by VFSS after 2 weeks. Oropharyngeal swallowing function was evaluated by Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System swallowing scale based on results of VFSS.
RESULTS
Patients were randomly assigned to the study group (n=20) or the control group (n=20). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or initial values between the two groups. After 2 weeks of NMES, both groups showed improvement in scores of total FDS and pharyngeal phase FDS. Additionally, the study group showed improvement in oral phase FDS. Changes in all measurements were similar between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
In this preliminary study, NMES for masseter muscle has a therapeutic effect on oral dysfunction of patients after subacute stroke.

Keyword

Stroke; Post-stroke dysphagia; Oral phase dysfunction; Videofluoroscopy swallowing study; Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; NMES; Masseter muscle

MeSH Terms

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Deglutition
Deglutition Disorders
Electric Stimulation*
Humans
Masseter Muscle*
Stroke*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. (A) Study group receiving NMES for masseter muscle and suprahyoid muscle. (B) Control group receiving NMES for suprahyoid muscle. NMES, neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

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