[Dysphagia] e stim

[justjanetlynn at msn.com (JANET CONFER)]

I have not been to the course and I am not trying to advocate for Estim. 
Just trying to pass on information. I did meet with the regional rep & he 
told me that Vitalstim does not result in complete muscle contraction. It is 
not a passive treatment where the patient just sits there and lets the 
machine do all the work. The patient has to practice swallowing - using 
volitional muscular effort - at the same time. Also he definitely said that 
it is not indicated for ALL patients. He did say a few things about patients 
who are not appropriate but to be honest I don't remember it all. I do 
remember that it is not recommended on comatose individuals. Anyone who's 
gone to the course who can fill us in further? I do know that Healthsouth as 
a corporation is taking on Vitalstim and is sending all of their therapists 
(nationwide) to the course. Any Healthsouth SLPs who can give us their 
impressions?




  E-stim results in max contraction of the
> muscles which in turn results in fatigue and overuse.

 > Laurie Sterling, M.S., CCC-SLP
> Team Speech-Language Pathologist
> The Vicki Appel MDA/ALS Clinic
> Baylor College of Medicine/The Methodist Hospital
> Houston, TX
>
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