[Dysphagia] Re: E-stim for dysphagia

[eripley at yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

Brenda Logsdon <bklslp@earthlink.net> wrote:
Kris,
The big thing about the e-stim for dysphagia is that the electrodes are
placed over the appropriate muscles as determined by the MBS. 

One shouldn't need VFSS at all. The neuroanatomy of the swallow is quite clear and clinical examination indicates the only deficiency for which e-stim would be helpful - inadequate or absent movement of the hyoid. We know which muscles move the hyoid so... The illustration of placement shown on the VitalStim website is wrong. If placed in a straight line as shown, they would have minimal, if any, effect. And they can NOT affect the "muscles of the pharynx". It's the submental muscles that require assistance in contraction. I can't see what VFSS would add.

Irene.



Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
Exclusive Distributor:
www.interactivetherapy.com