Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation: Dysphagia Treatment Enters a New Age

Abstract

jats:pDysphagia is a highly disabling stroke outcome that significantly impacts quality of life and produces social isolation that limits reintegration and resumption of valued life activities in stroke survivors and their families/caregivers. With dysphagic stroke survivors describing feeding tube dependence as their most dreaded outcome, the emergence of pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES) as a treatment for severe post-stroke dysphagia is a welcome addition to stroke management. We conducted a comprehensive narrative review to understand methods for PES use, the evidence supporting PES dysphagia treatment, and the endpoints that have been used in clinical trials and observational studies. Important patient-centered recommendations are shared for the design of future research that incorporates implementation science methods to best support optimal patient and programmatic outcomes. </jats:p>