2022 Volume 43 Issue 3 Pages 355-363
We report two cases of early pediatric dysphagia that were successfully treated by a novel swallowing rehabilitation procedure using interferential current stimulation (IFC) of the neck.
These two cases developed aspiration during suckling and were managed with tube feeding.
Videofluoroscopy showed aspiration during and after the pharyngeal stage of swallowing, and showed the instability of swallowing-respiratory coordination.
Since the application of IFC stimulation to the neck provided an immediate improvement of the swallowing function, swallowing rehabilitation therapy using concurrent IFC stimulation to the neck was performed. At one month after the initiation of IFC therapy, they were capable of taking a whole feeding orally, without aspiration or penetration. We therefore propose that the combination of the environmental adjustments and the surface IFC stimulation to the neck has a potential role in rehabilitation therapy for pediatric dysphagia.
