The Effect of Double Application of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Patients with Dysphgia after Stroke

뇌졸중 후 연하곤란 환자에서 기능적 전기자극 치료의 중복 적용 효과

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of functional electrical stimulation (FES) which was applied twice a day in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Methods : Eleven patients with dysphagia after stroke were participated. The electrical stimulator with two channels was employed for forty minutes daily or forty minutes twice a day for fifteen days. Participants were divided into two groups by random method; The FES was performed twice a day for Twice-FES group (n=6), and once a day for Standard-FES group (n=5). For evaluation of dysphagia, the functional dysphagia scale by videofluoroscopic swallowing study, and swallow function scoring system by six clinical swallowing stage were assessed at pre- and post-treatment. Results : In both groups, there was a significant decrease of total functional dysphagia scales after FES treatment (p<0.05) and the results mainly affected the pharyngeal phase of deglutition. There was no significant difference between the two groups in total functional dysphagia scales, but the Twice-FES group had a decreased residue in oral cavity compared to the standard FES group. In both groups, there were significant improvements in swallow function scoring system (p<0.05). The twice-FES group had more high clinical swallowing stages. Conclusions : The results demonstrated that FES is a clinically effective intervention in treatment of stroke patients with dysphagia. Moreover, the treatment applied twice a day had relatively positive effects on the reduction of oral cavity residue and the improvement of clinical swallowing stage.