Neuromuscular electrostimulation in the rehabilitation of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Objective: to describe the efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrostimulation (NMES) in oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Method: A randomized clinical trial was carried out comprising control (4 people) and study (11 people) groups. Participants underwent a pre-therapy assessment using functional assessment protocols and objective pre- and post-therapy swallowing assessments. Non-parametric tests were used to compare both independent and paired samples. Results: With regard to the self-assessment of eating, the total score for the items that make up the EAT-10 showed similar characteristics between the groups. Comparisons were made of the answers obtained before and after the evaluation using the FOIS and DOSS scales. The Wilcoxon test provided an indication of a significant difference between the pre-radiological assessment of swallowing when compared to the post-radiological assessment only in the second group. According to FOIS, in most cases there was an increase of one point on the evaluation scale. In DOSS, on the other hand, there was a reduction of one point on the scale. Conclusion: Conventional speech therapy and its association with EN in the submental region were effective in treating oropharyngeal dysphagia in individuals with PD.