Electromagnetic Therapy for Cervicogenic Dysphagia

Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD) is a swallowing disorder in patients with cervicogenic pathology. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT) is a widely utilized therapeutic modality. Objective: To investigate the effects of PEMT on swallowing function (SF) and dysphagia handicapping effects in patients with CD. Methods: 40 volunteer participants (50-60 years old) with CD and cervical spondylosis were randomly and equally assigned to the study group (PEMT+swallowing resistance training program "SRTP") and control group (placebo PEMT+SRTP). Intervention: All participants received 3 sessions of SRTP (resisted chin tuck-in and resisted swallowing exercises) and 2 PEMT sessions (20 minutes of 20 Hz low frequency, 0.8 milli Tesla low intensity) per week for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures: The SF was evaluated using the swallow difficulty questionnaire "SDQ", and the dysphagia handicapping effects were evaluated using the dysphagia handicap index (DHI) pre-and post-study. Statistical analysis: Within-group comparisons were done using a paired t-test, and the between-group differences were examined using two-way ANOVA; a significant value was set at P\<0.05.