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Comparing the Effects of Rehabilitation Swallowing Therapy vs. Functional Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy in an Encephalitis Patient: A Case Study

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Abstract

A 49-year-old man with pharyngeal dysphagia after encephalitis is presented in this case study. Sixteen months earlier the patient experienced a sudden severe fever which resulted in encephalitis, leading to liquid dysphagia. Despite receiving an initial treatment of swallowing therapy, the patient’s liquid dysphagia did not improve. Functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation, which is a new treatment method, was then applied to the patient. The patient showed improvement in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Clinical and treatment observations are reported.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank the patient and his family for participating in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jerib Avenue, Isfahan, 81745, Iran

    Ali Barikroo

  2. The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY, 12203, USA

    Pui Mei Lam

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  1. Ali Barikroo
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  2. Pui Mei Lam
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Correspondence to Ali Barikroo.

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Barikroo, A., Lam, P.M. Comparing the Effects of Rehabilitation Swallowing Therapy vs. Functional Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy in an Encephalitis Patient: A Case Study. Dysphagia 26, 418–423 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-011-9329-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-011-9329-1

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