What is VitalStim therapy?

What is VitalStim therapy?

VitalStim Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that uses an electrical current to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. It is the only FDA-cleared device for treatment of dysphagia (swallowing difficulty).

How long does VitalStim last?

3 years
Why every 3 years? Yes, once a therapist passes the training program, they are VitalStim Providers and remain so. As part of the national accreditation of the VitalStim Therapy Specialty Program, a 3 year renewal was implemented to meet NCCA standards.

How does Ampcare work?

The Ampcare ES unit is a portable, non-invasive, dual-channel electrotherapy system which emits electrical current to stimulate nerves that correspond to inactive or atrophied swallowing muscles, which leads to an improved quality of muscle contraction of the hyolaryngeal complex and improved swallow function.

Is VitalStim a NMES?

The VitalStim® Therapy System is a non-invasive therapy to help swallowing through the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). Electrical stimulation is used to aid muscle strengthening and muscle recruitment to rehabilitate the swallow.

Is VitalStim FDA approved?

The VitalStim Therapy System is an FDA approved, non-invasive therapy specifically designed to treat dysphagia. It is a specialized form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation that teaches the throat muscles needed for swallowing.

Is Vital Stim painful?

The VitalStim® System is a painless non-invasive therapy for treating dysphagia, obtained by external electrical stimulation which is applied to the front of the neck (defined as such in the market by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002).

What are the most common causes of dysphagia?

Any condition that weakens or damages the muscles and nerves used for swallowing or leads to a narrowing of the back of the throat or esophagus can cause dysphagia….Esophageal dysphagia

• Achalasia.
• Diffuse spasm.
• Esophageal stricture.
• Esophageal tumors.
• Foreign bodies.
• Esophageal ring.
• GERD .
• Eosinophilic esophagitis.

How do you stimulate swallowing?

As example, you may be asked to:

1. Inhale and hold your breath very tightly.
2. Pretend to gargle while holding your tongue back as far as possible.
3. Pretend to yawn while holding your tongue back as far as possible.
4. Do a dry swallow, squeezing all of your swallowing muscles as tightly as you can.

What is the Mendelsohn maneuver?

The Mendelsohn maneuver is a method of intentionally holding the larynx when the larynx is elevated, so that activation of the suprahyoid muscles is induced4). In this study, the Mendelsohn maneuver was performed for approximately 5 seconds, and the suprahyoid muscles would have been activated within this time.

Can you use VitalStim with a pacemaker?

VitalStim is a Safe and Effective Solution In a study with about 900 patients, over 4,500 stimulations were administered, all with no negative side effects, even in patients with pacemakers.

Is Vital Stim evidence based?

Clinicians must apply critical reasoning skills in deciding when to use VitalStim. Part of any good treatment decision involves consideration of Evidenced Based Practice (EBP), which includes reading the research.