Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation Devices Help To Recover Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients with Dysphagia

 Therapy and rehabilitation using electrical stimulation devices have shown great potential to provide effective pain relief in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions including chronic pain, migraine headaches, TMJ pain, neck pain, and low back pain. Physical therapists often use electrical stimulation as an adjunct therapy for patients with injuries or limited mobility. This is sometimes combined with massage to help relax the patient and allow for better manipulation of the injured body part. Electrical stimulation has also been used in the veterinary medical profession to help cats and dogs heal from surgical procedures and injury.

However, clinical trials have not shown conclusive evidence that electrical stimulation is an effective treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions. It is also known that using electrical stimulation devices in this capacity can be potentially dangerous and can cause the condition worse than it is currently. For this reason, physical therapy professionals are often encouraged to provide non- invasive therapies instead of invasive surgery. Non-invasive therapy treatments include ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and laser therapy. Each of these treatments have their own benefits when used in combination with each other.

A recent study found that electrical stimulation helps to recover critically ill COVID-19 patients with dysphagia. In April 2021, Phagenesis Ltd, a private healthcare company, announced use of pharyngeal electrical stimulation for successful treatment of intubation–induced severe neurogenic post–extubation dysphagia in a COVID–19 patient. 

A transcutaneous electrical stimulation device provides electrical stimulation over long distances and can be used on minor muscle and joint pain. These electrical stimulation devices are attached to the skin and allow electrical stimulation through the muscle tissue. These types of electrical stimulation devices are similar to electric toothbrushes but they apply the electrical stimulation directly to the muscle being stimulated. Electrical stimulation over the skin allows for longer lasting treatments and is usually more effective. It is also generally safer and provides a less likely chance for adverse side effects to occur.

Electrical stimulation devices cannot be used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior in the U.S. In March 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a final rule to ban electrical stimulation devices used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior because they present an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury.