CLINICAL FORUM Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Dysphagia Treatment: Is There Suffi cient Evidence?

Abstract: Transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TNES) in dysphagia management remains controversial. At present, limited data are available regarding optimum protocol and potential benefi ts and risks. This systematic literature review thoroughly examines the available research concerning TNES for pharyngeal dysphagia. The systematic analysis of these research results should assist clinicians in making informed, evidence-based recommendations in their practices. The use of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TNES) in dysphagia management has gained increasing attention within clinical and research arenas of speech-language pathology (Leelamanit, Limsakul, & Geater, 2002). TNES involves application of electrical current to the neck region with the expectation that muscle function during swallowing will be enhanced. Despite vast expansion in the utilization of this approach, limited dat