What is VitalStim® Therapy?
VitalStim® is a form of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). To perform this therapy, the Speech Pathologist must be certified in this technique. The VitalStim® Therapy System is a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy cleared to market by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002 for the treatment of dysphagia or swallowing impairment with application on the face and front of the neck. Electrical stimulation is used to aid muscle strengthening, improve coordination, and to rehabilitate the swallow. When the electricity courses through the motor nerve, it causes the muscle to contract. The sensory stimulation that is provided also helps muscle and swallowing function.
VitalStim® is a form of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). To perform this therapy, the Speech Pathologist must be certified in this technique. The VitalStim® Therapy System is a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy cleared to market by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002 for the treatment of dysphagia or swallowing impairment with application on the face and front of the neck. Electrical stimulation is used to aid muscle strengthening, improve coordination, and to rehabilitate the swallow. When the electricity courses through the motor nerve, it causes the muscle to contract. The sensory stimulation that is provided also helps muscle and swallowing function.
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Am I A Candidate For VitalStim Therapy?
If you show signs of aspiration or have difficulty managing your diet, you may be a candidate for dysphagia therapy. Look for one or more of the following signs and symptoms: • Coughing/clearing throat after swallowing • Abnormal volitional cough • Decreased voice quality (wet, hoarse, weak) • Recurring chest infections • Multiple swallows or special maneuvers required to clear throat • Difficulty completing a meal • Feeling of food being stuck in the throat • Modified diet required (thickening, pureeing food; soft solids) • Difficulty initiating a swallow • Spilling food or liquid from lips and/or drooling Who Is NOT A Candidate?
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Who Is A Typical Patient?
Typical patient categories include, but are not limited to: • Stroke • Various other neuromuscular disease processes (i.e. Parkinson’s, ALS, MS, Myasthenia Gravis, etc.) • Head and neck cancer (post radiation) and/or surgery 
The following groups may be a candidate, but should be cautious proceeding with any NMES therapy:
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Swallowing Impairment & Quality Of Life
Aside from the fact that we need food to obtain nutrients, there's no saying that need cannot be met in ways that don't involve putting food into our mouth (i.e. a feeding tube). The truth is, when swallowing is impaired, it affects much more than the change in where and how the nutritional need will be satisfied. It affects the social aspect of eating, which in turn affects the quality of life for the individual. Research shows that dysphagic patients "tend to isolate themselves more, and, in fact, many avoid eating out with other people partly because they feel embarrassed, partly because they need assistance during meals, and/or feel less interested in food" (Farri et. al., 2007). This affects family and friend dynamics because plans that we make and holidays we celebrate often revolve around food. |
How Does VitalStim Therapy Work?
A VitalStim Therapy program is typically administered 3 to 5 days per week for one hour. Most patients can expect their VitalStim Therapy program to last one month.
A typical session begins with the speech therapist cleansing the skin with a special alcohol swab. Sometimes, moist heat and massage will be applied to improve the effects of the treatment. The speech therapist will then attach the electrodes to the neck. Once turned on, the VitalStim device provides stimulation to the target muscles. At this time, your therapist will coach you through active swallowing exercises that include: “Swallow hard, swallow fast” and “swallow in a single contraction”. These swallows will include food and liquids that are deemed appropriate by your speech pathologist.
A VitalStim Therapy program is typically administered 3 to 5 days per week for one hour. Most patients can expect their VitalStim Therapy program to last one month.
A typical session begins with the speech therapist cleansing the skin with a special alcohol swab. Sometimes, moist heat and massage will be applied to improve the effects of the treatment. The speech therapist will then attach the electrodes to the neck. Once turned on, the VitalStim device provides stimulation to the target muscles. At this time, your therapist will coach you through active swallowing exercises that include: “Swallow hard, swallow fast” and “swallow in a single contraction”. These swallows will include food and liquids that are deemed appropriate by your speech pathologist.
References and Resources
Empi. (2008). VitalStim® Therapy Can Help Patients With Dysphagia [Brochure]. Retrieved from http://www.djoglobal.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/vitalstim/VitalStim-overview-brochure.pdf
Farri, A., Accornero, A., Burdese, C. (2007). Social importance of dysphagia: its impact on diagnosis and therapy
Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 27(2): 83–86.
Empi. (2008). VitalStim® Therapy Can Help Patients With Dysphagia [Brochure]. Retrieved from http://www.djoglobal.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/vitalstim/VitalStim-overview-brochure.pdf
Farri, A., Accornero, A., Burdese, C. (2007). Social importance of dysphagia: its impact on diagnosis and therapy
Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 27(2): 83–86.