UF researchers to study treatment for patients with swallowing disorders

A University of Florida research team will evaluate the effectiveness of a new therapy for the treatment of swallowing disorders.

Led by Michael Crary, Ph.D., a professor of communicative disorders at the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, the team will investigate how useful electrical stimulation is in treating patients who are unable to swallow food or drink following disease or illness.

The therapy involves taking electrodes that emit very low electrical currents and placing them on the patient’s neck, with the goal of stimulating inactive muscles.

Electrical stimulation has been used for years in physical therapy and other rehabilitation medicine fields, Crary said. Although it has shown promise for the treatment of swallowing disorders, electrical stimulation has never been evaluated scientifically for its effectiveness with this condition.

“Electrical stimulation may be a good technique, and it certainly is supported by a lot of anecdotal evidence, but we need to systematically study the outcomes of the therapy and identify who might benefit most from this approach,” Crary said.

An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from swallowing disorders. The condition can affect patients with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic injury, or head and neck cancer.

Researchers will test VitalStim, the only electrical stimulation device approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for this use, with funding from the Chattanooga Group, the device’s manufacturer.

Following an evaluation of swallowing ability, participants enrolled in the study will receive electrical stimulation therapy five days a week for up to three weeks. At the end of treatment, the patient’s swallowing ability will be re-evaluated to measure his or her progress.

Researchers also will conduct two national surveys of swallowing therapists to gather information on how many people are using electrical stimulation for their patients and the outcomes of the treatment.

“Eating and drinking at gatherings with family and friends and business functions is so important in our culture,” Crary said. “People who no longer have that ability are separated from others and may become shut-ins. Anyone who has significant restriction or loss of swallowing ability will experience a total change in his or her life. It is very important that we find the most effective treatments for swallowing problems.”

To be eligible to participate in the study, candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 90 and have experienced swallowing difficulties for at least six months. Interested participants can contact Crary at 352-273-6159 or mcrary@phhp.ufl.edu.