Article

Surface electrical stimulation has been applied on a large scale to treat
oropharyngeal dysphagia. Patients suffering from oropharyngeal dysphagia in the
presence of Parkinson's disease have been treated with surface electrical
stimulation. Because of controversial reports on this treatment, a pilot study
was set up. This study describes the effects of a single session of surface
electrical stimulation using different electrode positions in ten patients with
idiopathic Parkinson's disease (median Hoehn and Yahr score: II) and
oropharyngeal dysphagia compared to ten age- and gender-matched healthy control
subjects during videofluoroscopy of swallowing. Three different electrode
positions were applied in random order per subject. For each electrode position,
the electrical current was respectively turned "on" and "off" in random order.
Temporal, spatial, and visuoperceptual variables were scored by experienced
raters who were blinded to the group, electrode position, and status (on/off) of
the electrical current. Interrater and interrater reliabilities were calculated.
Only a few significant effects of a single session of surface electrical
stimulation using different electrode positions in dysphagic Parkinson patients
could be observed in this study. Furthermore, significant results for temporal
and spatial variables were found regardless of the status of the electrical
current in both groups suggesting placebo effects. Following adjustment for
electrical current status as well as electrode positions (both not significant, P
> 0.05) in the statistical model, significant group differences between Parkinson
patients and healthy control subjects emerged. Further studies are necessary to
evaluate the potential therapeutic effect and mechanism of electrical stimulation
in dysphagic patients with Parkinson's disease.

Langue : ANGLAIS