Rééducation des troubles de la déglutition par électrostimulation

Dysphagia is a frequent problem in neurology, with a significant impact for the patient. Laryngeal and the oro-facial neurologic stimulation is an innovative technique that we wanted to assess in combination with traditional speech therapy. Nine patients with an atypical dysphagia in a nervous system disease (lock-in syndrome, stroke and severe multiple sclerosis) were included after completion of an electrical stimulation test. If the test is positive, they receive between ten to 18 sessions of an electrical stimulation during a meal as well as speech therapy in addition to these sessions. An assessment was performed after five, ten and 15 sessions. The primary endpoint during these evaluations was the number of false routes. At the end of these sessions, it was observed a decrease in the number of false passages (passage 4-5 choking until total disappearance for four patients) and reduced meal time from 30 to 50% that after ten sessions. It was also noted other positive effects on the orofacial and laryngeal-pharyngeal as traction, orofacial sensitivity and improved voice, unexpected and not previously described. This assessment highlighted an improvement in swallowing with reducing the number of false routes and secondarily improving the oral sphere.