Manuscript submission / Evaluation
Click here to download Turk J Phys Med Rehab's ENDNOTE Style File
Authors :
Title :
Summary :
Keyword :
Open Access
Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Focal muscle vibrations improve swallowing in persistent dysphagia after traumatic brain injury: A case report

Chiara Ciritella 1 ,Stefania Spina 1 ,Nicoletta Cinone 1 ,Mario Pio Giordano 2 ,Salvatore Facciorusso 3 ,Andrea Santamato 1
1 Spasticity and Movement Disorders Unit, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Policlinico Riuniti and University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, Foggia, Italy
2 Department of Radiology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
3 Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Costa Masnaga,Lecco, Italy DOI : 10.5606/tftrd.2023.11351 Dysphagia is a common complication following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and it is related to an increased risk of malnutrition, pneumonia, and poor prognosis. In this article, we present a case of TBI with persistent dysphagia treated with focal muscle vibration. A 100 Hz and 50 Hz vibratory stimuli were applied over the suprahyoid muscles and tongue (30 min twice a day; five days a week; for a total of four weeks) in addition to the conventional therapy to quickly recover swallowing and avoid the possibility of permanent deficits. In conclusion, this case highlights a novel therapeutic approach for persistent dysphagia in TBI, which should be considered in the management of dysphagia. Keywords : Dysphagia, focal muscle vibration, traumatic brain injury