Trial of interferential current stimulation therapy for patients with dysphagia

-Changes in swallowing function before and after the introduction of Gentle Stim-

Abstract

In recent years, the use of electrical stimulation therapy durinGSwallowing training has been shown to be effective in improvinGSwallowing function. In this study, we aimed to combine indirect and direct traininGS with Gentle Stim (GS), a form of interferential current stimulation therapy, to examine changes in swallowing function and attain withdrawal from tube feeding. The participants were patients receiving nasal tube feeding. They were categorized into the GS and control groups and compared on the basis oFTheir results in the repetitive saliva swallow test, modified water drinking test, and food test (FT) before and aFTer the intervention. We found that both the GS and control groups showed a significant improvement aFTer the intervention. A significant difference in FT was observed between the GS and control groups. Furthermore, the proportion of patients who were able to meet nutrition needs by oral intake oFThree meals alone at discharge was also increased, which suggests that the combined use of GS may promote withdrawal from tube feeding.