The Relevance of the Use of TENS Devices in the Therapy of Poststroke Dysphagia
Author(s)
Vivien Sárkány-Szépe, BSc, MSc1, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD2, Boglárka Horváth, BSc, MSc3.
1Komárom-Esztergom Vármegyei Szent Borbála Hospital, Tatabánya, Hungary, 2Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, University of Pécs, Szombathely, Hungary.
1Komárom-Esztergom Vármegyei Szent Borbála Hospital, Tatabánya, Hungary, 2Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, University of Pécs, Szombathely, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of TENS therapy in the treatment of dysphagia following stroke, when combined with traditional dysphagia therapy.
METHODS: Ten stroke patients (n=10) participated in the study, divided into two groups of five each: the experimental group (55,40 ±6,50 years) and the control group (57,20 ±5,68 years). The experimental group received traditional therapy combined with TENS treatment, while the control group had the device placed but not turned on to prevent the placebo effect, thus receiving only traditional therapy. The patients received 10 treatment sessions, and standard assessments (Functional Oral Intake Scale, Gugging Swallowing Screen-H, Dysarthria test, Penetration-Aspiration Scale) were performed before the therapy began and after the final session, mainly to monitor swallowing functions.
RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the FOIS scores, there was no significant difference between the pre-intervention scores (Mann-Whitney U=4,500, p=0,077), while post-intervention scores showed a significant difference (Mann-Whitney U<0,001, p=0,007). The comparison of GUSS-H total scores before the therapy using an independent samples t-test showed no statistical significance (t=2,144, df=8, p=0,064). However, the comparison of GUSS-H scores after the therapeutic sessions with the Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference (Mann-Whitney U=1,000, Z=-2,511, p=0,012). The differences in velum and pharyngeal function before and after treatment were also significant (p=0,014). The PAS measurement was performed on five patients, but the small sample size limited statistical analysis of these results.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest that TENS therapy may be an effective adjunct to conventional dysphagia treatment modalities to improve swallowing function and dysarthria symptoms. Further research may help clarify the long-term effects and the benefits of combining other therapeutic modalities to offer even more effective treatments for patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
METHODS: Ten stroke patients (n=10) participated in the study, divided into two groups of five each: the experimental group (55,40 ±6,50 years) and the control group (57,20 ±5,68 years). The experimental group received traditional therapy combined with TENS treatment, while the control group had the device placed but not turned on to prevent the placebo effect, thus receiving only traditional therapy. The patients received 10 treatment sessions, and standard assessments (Functional Oral Intake Scale, Gugging Swallowing Screen-H, Dysarthria test, Penetration-Aspiration Scale) were performed before the therapy began and after the final session, mainly to monitor swallowing functions.
RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the FOIS scores, there was no significant difference between the pre-intervention scores (Mann-Whitney U=4,500, p=0,077), while post-intervention scores showed a significant difference (Mann-Whitney U<0,001, p=0,007). The comparison of GUSS-H total scores before the therapy using an independent samples t-test showed no statistical significance (t=2,144, df=8, p=0,064). However, the comparison of GUSS-H scores after the therapeutic sessions with the Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference (Mann-Whitney U=1,000, Z=-2,511, p=0,012). The differences in velum and pharyngeal function before and after treatment were also significant (p=0,014). The PAS measurement was performed on five patients, but the small sample size limited statistical analysis of these results.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest that TENS therapy may be an effective adjunct to conventional dysphagia treatment modalities to improve swallowing function and dysarthria symptoms. Further research may help clarify the long-term effects and the benefits of combining other therapeutic modalities to offer even more effective treatments for patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH253
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Medical Technologies
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory)