NMES Plus Conventional Therapy for Stroke Dysphagia

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with traditional dysphagia therapy (TDT) in acute/subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. Methods: We design a randomized controlled trial to conduct this study. A total of 100 participants with stroke-induced dysphagia are included and randomly assigned to two groups: NMES+TDT and sham NMES+TDT. Participants receive a two-week training protocol, 5 times a week, with each session lasting 30 minutes. Clinical outcomes are recorded at baseline and at 1-, 2-, and 4-week follow-up visits. These outcomes include the Function Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life (Taiwan version). Expected results: We hope that the effectiveness of NMES in treating stroke-induced dysphagia can be clarified. This information can be provided when treating patients with stroke-induced dysphagia.