Efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in improving the negative psychological state in patients with cerebral infarction and dysphagia

Abstract

Objective To observe the improvement of negative affect disorders in patients with cerebral infarction and dysphagia by neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Methods One hundred and twelve patients with cerebral infarction and dysphagia were selected and randomized into treatment (n = 59) and control (n = 53) groups. Similar swallowing function was found in both groups before treatment: (1) Water-drinking test in the treatment group proved swallowing function Level III in 24 cases, Level IV in 22 cases and Level V in 13 cases; (2) in the control group, swallowing function was Level III in 21 cases, Level IV in 20 cases and Level V in 12 cases. Both groups received conventional drug therapy and swallowing training. The treatment group additionally received neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Both groups underwent water-drinking test evaluation, Hamilton Anxiety Scale test, and Hamilton Depression Scale test before and after treatment.

Results After two courses of treatment, the rate of improvement in swallowing function was 88.1% in the treatment group while 69.8% in the control group. Somatic anxiety, psychogenic anxiety and total scores in the Hamilton Anxiety Scale in the treatment group were improved to varying degrees compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Anxiety, cognitive disorder, psychomotor retardation and total scores in the Hamilton Depression Scale in the treatment group were improved to varying degrees compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Patients with cerebral infarction and dysphagia have varying degrees of anxiety, depression, and other negative affect disorders, which could be minimized by neuromuscular electrical stimulation in conjunction with conventional therapy.

Keywords:

• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
• cerebral infarction
• dysphagia
• negative affect disorders

Acknowledgements

All patients with cerebral infarction and dysphagia were from the Neurorehabilitation unit of Beijing Luhe Hospital. We also thank Yongkun Wei from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for technical support.