The purpose of this investigation is to explore the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the muscle contraction of the suprahyoid muscles in participants 65 years and older who have experienced a stroke and subsequent stroke-related dysphagia. A total of four participants completed the investigation. This single subject study utilized an ABA design and was conducted over a two-week period for each participant. During phase A participant baseline suprahyoid muscle contraction strength was measured utilizing surface electromyography (sEMG). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was administered to the submental region of each participant during the intervention phase (Phase B) over the course of ten sessions. Muscle contraction of the suprahyoid muscles was measured at the conclusion of each session (Phase A2) via sEMG. A Guardian Way trained speech-language pathologist (SLP) administered all NMES treatments and collected all data for the entire study. The results yielded trends for participant A as zero-celerating, participant B as accelerating, participant C as decelerating, and participant D as decelerating. This investigation concluded that there was not enough evidence to determine whether NMES had a direct or consistent effect on muscle contraction of the suprahyoid muscles in participants aged 65 years and older with stroke-related dysphagia. Results were not significant and support previous literature that additional research is necessary to reach a conclusive stance on this highly controversial topic.
Keywords: dysphagia, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, surface electromyography
