Warm Springs Press Releases

VICTORIA WARM SPRINGS REHABILITATION HOSPITAL USES MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH TECHNIQUE FOR SWALLOWING DISORDERS

An estimated 15 million people suffer from dysphagia, swallowing disorders, each year and approximately 60,000 people die every year from complications. In the past, techniques used by speech pathologists around the world have been invasive and require months of continued treatment and supervision. In June of 2001, the FDA approved the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation or VitalStim Therapy, a technique proven to increase the success rate of patients with dysphagia. In December 2003, Victoria Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital became the first facility in the Golden Crescent area to use this innovative technique to help patients with swallowing disorders.

Dyspahgia occurs for any number of reasons with a few of the most common reasons being stroke, brain injury, cancer, pediatric diagnosis or simply a result of surgical procedures that reduce the strength and efficiency of the swallowing mechanism. Many people who suffer from swallowing disorders use feeding tubes for daily nutrition with no chance of returning to a normal eating pattern. The use of VitalStim Therapy is changing the lives of those who had little or no chance of recovery by providing a quicker and higher response rate than previously attained by other therapy methods.

VitalStim enables swallowing all consistencies of food by retraining and targeting pharyngeal (throat) muscles through the use of electrical stimulation. "Electrodes are placed on the neck area and the electric stimulation is used in conjunction with the active participation of the patient while swallowing," said Ron Rendessy, director of rehabilitation for the Victoria Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital. "We have been using this method since December and the results are excellent. We have seen patients who have a profound level of deficiency in swallowing to the point of aspirating on saliva increase their ability to swallow normally within a four week time period."

Through the use of a portable, dual-channel electrotherapy system, this treatment helps the throat muscles become stronger and reflexive both during and after therapy by re-teaching the muscle to swallow. "VitalStim can be used on all populations, and gives back hope to people that as of yet have been confined to a life without functional participation in social activities," said Charlotte Storey, Warm Springs speech language pathologist. "Previous techniques required that the patient receive therapy in an isolated environment in order to maintain the vigilance required for success." This technique can be utilized with multiple patients in a dining environment that promotes the social aspect of eating. Patients also have the opportunity to increase pragmatic skills through interaction with others.

Through the use of VitalStim clinicians are able to stimulate the throat muscles, muscles that were difficult to reach and re-train with prior methods. The use of electrical stimulation has been used in the past in physical and occupation therapy, but this is the first time that it has been calibrated for facial stimulation.

"One of the most important things to remember about this new technology is that it does not work on its own. The electrical stimulation needs to be combined with a good clinician who knows exactly what needs to be done to obtain the results desired," said Storey. "All in all our patients at Warm Springs have done very well and we are seeing dramatic recovery within a 2 – 4 time period."

"In order to provide optimal quality of care, it is our responsibility to utilize the most recent and effective treatments available to ensure that we can place as many of our patients back to an active and function lifestyle," said Rendessy.

Caring for Texans for over 65 years, Warm Springs is committed to helping patients maximize their recovery by offering comprehensive rehabilitation services.