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Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Function for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Title: Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Function for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Juan Xu (ORCID 0009-0007-3392-8066), Jiangman Wei (ORCID 0000-0001-8237-9031), Guangyuan Xu (ORCID 0009-0005-9847-200X)
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(3).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Stimulation, Biofeedback, Neurological Organization, Physical Disabilities, Human Body, Motor Reactions, Literature Reviews, Neurological Impairments, Meta Analysis, Medical Research
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70230
ISSN: 1368-2822
1460-6984
Abstract: Objective: In this study, our aim is to compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and other treatment methods for treating dysphagia after a stroke. Methods: A systematic search in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Clinical Trials was conducted from their earliest record to 5 September 2024. The study included a randomised controlled trial design. The experimental group received NMES alone, while the control group received NMES and/or conventional dysphagia therapy. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database rating scale was utilized to evaluate the quality of the studies that were included in this analysis. We obtained the post-treatment mean differences (MD) and standard deviations (SD) for the selected outcomes recorded in both the experimental and control groups to facilitate subsequent meta-analyses. Results: A total of sixteen studies were identified. In the comparison of swallow treatment that incorporates NMES versus swallow treatment that does not include neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the meta-analysis found a significant MD of -7.23, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from -13.62 to -0.84 (P = 0.03) in the functional dysphagia scale (FDS). In Functional Oral Intake Scale, the MD = 0.66, 95%CI ranging from -0.31 to 1.62 (P = 0.18). In Penetration Aspiration Scale, the MD = -1.05, 95%CI ranging from -1.50 to -0.60 (P < 0.00001). Conclusion: The application of NMES in swallow therapy appears to demonstrate greater efficacy in the management of post-stroke dysphagia compared to approaches that do not incorporate such stimulation, albeit the existing body of research is limited. Furthermore, the evidence currently available is inadequate to substantiate the assertion that NMES, when employed in isolation, surpasses swallow therapy.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506811
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Function for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Juan+Xu%22&quot;&gt;Juan Xu&lt;/searchLink&gt; (ORCID &lt;externalLink term=&quot;https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3392-8066&quot;&gt;0009-0007-3392-8066&lt;/externalLink&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Jiangman+Wei%22&quot;&gt;Jiangman Wei&lt;/searchLink&gt; (ORCID &lt;externalLink term=&quot;https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8237-9031&quot;&gt;0000-0001-8237-9031&lt;/externalLink&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Guangyuan+Xu%22&quot;&gt;Guangyuan Xu&lt;/searchLink&gt; (ORCID &lt;externalLink term=&quot;https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9847-200X&quot;&gt;0009-0005-9847-200X&lt;/externalLink&gt;)
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;SO&quot; term=&quot;%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;International Journal of Language &amp; Communication Disorders&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/searchLink&gt;. 2026 61(3).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 11
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Stimulation%22&quot;&gt;Stimulation&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Biofeedback%22&quot;&gt;Biofeedback&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Neurological+Organization%22&quot;&gt;Neurological Organization&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Physical+Disabilities%22&quot;&gt;Physical Disabilities&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Human+Body%22&quot;&gt;Human Body&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Motor+Reactions%22&quot;&gt;Motor Reactions&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Literature+Reviews%22&quot;&gt;Literature Reviews&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Neurological+Impairments%22&quot;&gt;Neurological Impairments&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Meta+Analysis%22&quot;&gt;Meta Analysis&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;DE&quot; term=&quot;%22Medical+Research%22&quot;&gt;Medical Research&lt;/searchLink&gt;
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  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.70230
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  Data: 1368-2822&lt;br /&gt;1460-6984
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Objective: In this study, our aim is to compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and other treatment methods for treating dysphagia after a stroke. Methods: A systematic search in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Clinical Trials was conducted from their earliest record to 5 September 2024. The study included a randomised controlled trial design. The experimental group received NMES alone, while the control group received NMES and/or conventional dysphagia therapy. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database rating scale was utilized to evaluate the quality of the studies that were included in this analysis. We obtained the post-treatment mean differences (MD) and standard deviations (SD) for the selected outcomes recorded in both the experimental and control groups to facilitate subsequent meta-analyses. Results: A total of sixteen studies were identified. In the comparison of swallow treatment that incorporates NMES versus swallow treatment that does not include neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the meta-analysis found a significant MD of -7.23, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from -13.62 to -0.84 (P = 0.03) in the functional dysphagia scale (FDS). In Functional Oral Intake Scale, the MD = 0.66, 95%CI ranging from -0.31 to 1.62 (P = 0.18). In Penetration Aspiration Scale, the MD = -1.05, 95%CI ranging from -1.50 to -0.60 (P &lt; 0.00001). Conclusion: The application of NMES in swallow therapy appears to demonstrate greater efficacy in the management of post-stroke dysphagia compared to approaches that do not incorporate such stimulation, albeit the existing body of research is limited. Furthermore, the evidence currently available is inadequate to substantiate the assertion that NMES, when employed in isolation, surpasses swallow therapy.
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        Value: 10.1111/1460-6984.70230
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 11
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      – SubjectFull: Stimulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biofeedback
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      – SubjectFull: Neurological Organization
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      – SubjectFull: Physical Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Human Body
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      – SubjectFull: Motor Reactions
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      – SubjectFull: Literature Reviews
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      – SubjectFull: Neurological Impairments
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      – SubjectFull: Meta Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Medical Research
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Function for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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            NameFull: Juan Xu
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            NameFull: Jiangman Wei
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            NameFull: Guangyuan Xu
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              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
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