Electromagnetic Therapy for Cervicogenic Dysphagia

Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD) is a swallowing disorder in patients with cervicogenic pathology. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT) is a widely utilized therapeutic modality. Objective: To investigate the effects of PEMT on swallowing function (SF) and dysphagia handicapping effects in patients with CD. Methods: 40 volunteer participants (50-60 years old) with CD and cervical spondylosis were randomly and equally assigned to the study group (PEMT+swallowing resistance training program "SRTP") and control group (placebo PEMT+SRTP). Intervention: All participants received 3 sessions of SRTP (resisted chin tuck-in and resisted swallowing exercises) and 2 PEMT sessions (20 minutes of 20 Hz low frequency, 0.8 milli Tesla low intensity) per week for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures: The SF was evaluated using the swallow difficulty questionnaire "SDQ", and the dysphagia handicapping effects were evaluated using the dysphagia handicap index (DHI) pre-and post-study. Statistical analysis: Within-group comparisons were done using a paired t-test, and the between-group differences were examined using two-way ANOVA; a significant value was set at P\

Inclusion Criteria: Individuals diagnosed with cervicogenic dysphagia and cervical spondylosis, aged 50-60 years, with a sedentary lifestyle (less than 30 minutes of aerobic activities per day), and who signed the written consent Exclusion Criteria: Subjects diagnosed with rheumatological disease, cerebrovascular abnormalities, having a metal implant or previous cervical surgeries, or having received any physical therapy programs for cervical spondylosis or dysphagia within the last 6 months. Subjects with recent infection, cognitive impairments or dementia, cardiovascular instability, head or neck traumatic injuries, neurological disorders affecting swallowing (e.g., parkinsonism, stroke), those who received medications interfering with normal swallowing function (e.g., antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and antidepressant drugs), and subjects who refused to provide the signed informed consent were all excluded at the beginning of the study.