Comparative Study on the Effects of Surface Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Between Subjects With Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis in the Paramedian and Median Positions

• Published in: Journal of voice 2022-10
• Main Authors: Andrade, Pedro Amarante, Frič, Marek, Dršata, Jakub, Krtičková, Jana, Chrobok, Viktor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrical stimulation; Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); Surface electrical stimulation; Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP); Vocal folds paresis; Voice therapy
• ISSN: 0892-1997; 1873-4588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.09.014

Objectives: To describe the impact of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on two different types of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP): in the paramedian and median positions. Methods: Subjects underwent 12-minute-long sessions of NMES for 5 consecutive days (1 hour of intervention in total). A modified electrode placement was used to target the adductor muscles of the larynx. Acoustic, electroglottographic, imaging, auditory-perceptual, and self-perceived data were collected. Results: Apart from SPL, the results showed significant improvement in all vocal parameters for the subject with the paralyzed vocal fold in the paramedian position, but not for the subject with the paralyzed vocal fold in the median position. Both subjects demonstrated the activation of the cricothyroid muscles with the NMES application. They also reported no negative symptoms in the larynx or the presence of delayed onset muscle soreness postintervention. Conclusions: The results of this study support the use of NMES as an effective method for the treatment of UVFP in the paramedian position.