Objectives/hypothesis: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on vocal functions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma following radiation therapy.
Study design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.
Methods: One hundred forty newly treated NPC patients were recruited and randomized into NMES or traditional swallowing exercise (TE) group. Participants received intensive NMES or traditional swallowing therapy and were followed up until 12 months postrandomization. Fifty-seven participants completed the treatment and all of the follow-up assessments. The Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30) was used to measure the vocal functions of the participants.
Results: The NMES group showed no significant changes to their vocal functions, whereas the TE group showed a short-term deterioration of voice functions at the 6-month follow-up. VHI-30 scores returned to the baseline level for both groups at the 12-month follow-up.
Conclusions: NMES is shown to provide a short-term benefit on vocal functions for NPC patients following radiation therapy.
Level of evidence: 1b Laryngoscope, 127:1119-1124, 2017.
Keywords: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; randomized controlled trial; voice disorders; voice-related quality of life.
© 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.