Impact of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation on dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TNMES) therapy in maintaining swallowing function during chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively compared 43 consecutive patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with TNMES (treatment group) to 55 control patients. Validated swallowing scale scores were assigned.