Dr. Ludlow will review what is known about the effects of using electrical stimulation on the surface of the neck and how it affects swallowing in patients with dysphagia. She will then discuss the evidence to date on whether adding e-stim to a therapeutic regimen benefits patients’ recovery to a greater degree than traditional therapy alone and in which types of patients. Finally, recent research will be reviewed regarding the use of e-stim in the pediatric population and caveats concerning the use of smaller electrodes in these patients will be discussed with recommendations.
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to describe which muscles are affected to the greatest degree by electrical stimulation in different regions on the neck.
- After this course, participants will be able to describe how a patient's swallowing will be affected by estim on the neck during swallowing.
- After this course, participants will be able to describe the latest evidence on the clinical effects of estim on patients recovery from dysphagia.
- After this course, participants will be able to list 2-3 recent studies on the use of estim in pediatric dysphagia.
- After this course, participants will be able to the describe the possible increased risks of injury when using estim in infants and children.
Agenda
| 0-5 Minutes | How estim works |
| 5-15 Minutes | Review of the muscles in the neck that can be stimulated |
| 15-25 Minutes | Biomechanical results of e stim on the neck |
| 25-35 Minutes | Evidence regarding the use of estim during therapy for dysphagia versus traditional therapy alone |
| 35-45 Minutes | Recent research on the use of estim during therapy for pediatric dysphagia |
| 45-55 Minutes | Discussion and recommendations regarding the use of estim in dysphagia patients |
| 55-60 Minutes | Conclusion; Q&A |
Reviews
116 Reviews
by
Bernadine
on
June 25, 2015
Knowledge and experience of presenter
by
Tricia
on
May 20, 2015
Good presentation
by
Jennifer
on
May 18, 2015
The information was relevant to my practice as a speech therapist.
by
Elizabeth
on
May 18, 2015
Relates to my field
by
Jennifer
on
May 15, 2015
very informative information on a controversial topic
by
Mary
on
May 12, 2015
I had never heard this info re: efficacy of names before.
by
Olga
on
May 4, 2015
The most valuable was a summary of most recent studies explained in concise yet effective and clear language
by
Susan
on
May 4, 2015
good info
by
Euraline
on
April 30, 2015
The information was clearly stated and succintly presented with not alot of reading before getting to the core.
by
Rachelle
on
April 18, 2015
excellent presentation and explaination of muscle groupings with simple but professional termonology
by
Kimberly
on
April 12, 2015
Education on my use of Vital Stimulation
by
Tiffanie
on
April 8, 2015
visuals; studies
by
Michelle
on
April 6, 2015
Very thorough review of multiple studies on e-stim; Fantastic and eye-opening. I was surprised the presenter still recommended use of vital stim at all given the research and expense.
by
Lisa
on
March 27, 2015
it's relevance to my caseload...and that is from someone not affiliated with VitalStim.
by
Mandy
on
March 27, 2015
Multiple examples of current research
by
Kim
on
March 24, 2015
great presentation of the material.
by
Ashley
on
March 22, 2015
It was informative and important for my understanding of Vitalstim technology.
by
Candida
on
March 22, 2015
Handouts
by
Aimee
on
March 22, 2015
The presenter was very knowledgeable and thorough.
by
Jaimie
on
March 19, 2015
Well explained material
by
Julie
on
March 16, 2015
Knowledge of the presenter was excellent.
by
Ruth
on
February 26, 2015
Clear
by
Michelle
on
February 22, 2015
This was the best course I've taken on this site. Real studies on the subject.
by
Patty
on
February 14, 2015
Different side of NMES
by
Ellen
on
February 13, 2015
important clinically relevant information
by
Callie
on
February 10, 2015
well put together
by
Terri
on
February 9, 2015
Good to see where research is in regard to newer treatments.
by
Peter
on
February 6, 2015
Specific content. Clear presentation. Visuals could be better for muscle structures and possible outlines to help recall and organize muscles. More video content would also be helpful. Otherwise, very good course.
by
Mary
on
February 6, 2015
nicely organized and good visuals
by
Pam
on
February 5, 2015
the progression of material
by
Kimberly
on
January 30, 2015
I information was clear and precise and the addition of the videos was helpful.
by
George
on
January 30, 2015
Detailed physiological and pathophysiological content
by
Steve P
on
January 29, 2015
above average
by
Angela
on
December 31, 2014
Explanation of muscles involved with use of estim
by
Germaine
on
December 31, 2014
Cited numerous research studies
by
Jennifer
on
December 31, 2014
in my graduate studies, I had the opportunity to observe Vital Stim being used with patients. This course helped me to better understand what exactly was being applied, where, and why.
by
Angela
on
December 30, 2014
Great information to share with patients and families.
by
Linda
on
December 28, 2014
Information provided
by
Jeanne
on
December 28, 2014
Specific cases.
by
Twila
on
December 27, 2014
Very good course and confirmed much of what I had observed in the clinic. As therapist we have to be careful and do our research and not just jump on the latest techniques as the holy grail for treatment of dysphagia. We could be doing more harm then good if we practice that way.
by
Alison
on
December 23, 2014
presenter was knowledgable and informed as to studies and was able to explain studies and findings in simple, easy to understand conclusions.
by
Deirdre
on
December 22, 2014
All of the studies noted and explained how they were designed.
by
Shelley
on
December 21, 2014
lots of information
by
Janet
on
December 20, 2014
It saved me over $600.00, but may make me unpopular at work
by
Carol
on
December 18, 2014
It provided an unbiased view of vitalstim. It was also a helpful review od laryngeal anatomy
by
caroline
on
December 18, 2014
Real research
by
Judith
on
December 12, 2014
THANK YOU for providing some rational scientific data relating to the effectiveness of Vital stim! (or lack thereof)
by
Michele
on
December 8, 2014
The information it contained is highly controversial and therefore interesting. Appreciated the overview of evidence.
by
Betsy
on
December 4, 2014
Many studies and data for consideration.
by
Julie
on
November 29, 2014
Very informative. Learned new details about Vital Stim. Great research references.
by
Erin
on
November 22, 2014
Important course content I'll many people don't understand Jan you got it about electrical stimulation and dysphagia.
by
Thomas
on
November 16, 2014
confirms my opinion that VitalStim is highly over rated at this time
by
kathleen
on
November 14, 2014
Presented clear info. about e-stim potential benefits as well as possible harm backed up with studies and FDA info. Back in the day, e-stim was being provided to patients at a hospital, the pts were pronounced "cured" without any follow up MBS, the pts. were then admitted to SNF where I was working. Families and pts. believed that regular diet and thin liquids could be safely swallowed. Pts. often developed problems with eating and drinking regular diet and thin liquids since they had not been "cured." Some patients had to return to hospital. SLP at hospital was rather difficult to consult with about these problems. It seemed unethical to me and caused problems for the therapy dept. at SNF and more importantly for the patients who had been "cured."
by
debbie
on
November 1, 2014
Concise review and presenter's summary statements of research
by
Margie
on
October 26, 2014
It was interesting to see the effects Estim has on swallowing.
by
Melissa
on
September 25, 2014
Gave different perspectives
by
Amelia
on
September 24, 2014
gave good insight into efficacy of NMES and recommendations of when it's beneficial vs. not
by
Karen
on
September 23, 2014
Clearly presented with research evidence to support Dr. Ludlow's conclusions.
by
Lauren
on
September 19, 2014
informational
by
Cassie
on
September 10, 2014
All the examples and research provided w/ explanation for everyday application.
by
Theresa
on
September 8, 2014
Being 15+ yrs in the field, I think scepticism in most dysphagia tx methods is an open arena. Whether it's oral-motor exercises for dysphagia, thermal stim efficacy, vital stim...and the list goes on. I did appreciate the objective data regarding the physiology of the muscles. But what I continue to find across all patient populations, is treatment becomes so very subjective. What works for one, won't for another. So I now throw my hands up in the air with these studies. I am certified in vital stim and have seen amazing success, and also minimal change. I like the idea of 3 scans under fluoro; but at the hospital in which I worked, the radiologists were so negative with MBS studies, they would never be receptive to vital stim fluro to assess the patient's candidacy for tx.
by
Sheryl
on
September 4, 2014
Good ideas for who to use VitalStim for and who would not benefit.
by
Joan
on
August 27, 2014
Clear, well organized, practical recommendations
by
Diane
on
August 12, 2014
Clear, unbiased information
by
Tommie
on
August 3, 2014
Very interesting and somewhat disappointing to learn that this therapy tool may not be as effective as many believe it to be. I was not expecting that. I really enjoyed reading the different studies.
by
Rosemarie
on
July 25, 2014
Christy Ludlow is an amazing speaker. Super organized, easy to follow, research is clear and accessible.I loved this course!!
by
Zulemy
on
July 24, 2014
Always found electrical stim interesting.
by
Katherine
on
July 23, 2014
Review of current literature
by
Julie
on
July 22, 2014
Very beneficial to have the current research summarized, and to learn the difference between the effects of submental vs pharyngeal stim.
by
Perrie
on
July 12, 2014
Good best practice research
by
Tamara
on
July 11, 2014
Thorough research review; nice use of visuals to augment learning, especially of more superficial musculature.
by
Brianne
on
June 23, 2014
MBSS videos helped comprehension of how Vital-stim depressed hyoid during stimulation.
by
Shirah
on
June 15, 2014
Great compilation of research conclusions in easily understood terms.
by
Kiran
on
June 6, 2014
informative
by
Holley
on
May 27, 2014
Up to date information over an increasingly controversial therapy within our field.
by
Caryl R
on
May 27, 2014
this was just so good, I have been wanting a review of the literature on VitalStim and have not been able to find such an inclusive review
by
Sarah
on
May 24, 2014
Great explanation of studies
by
Jennifer
on
May 21, 2014
very informative
by
Tashonda
on
May 19, 2014
The instructor provide great information and was easy to comprehend.
by
Adrian
on
April 27, 2014
Good analysis of available research
by
Jane
on
April 19, 2014
Topic and unbiased. With studies
by
Leah
on
April 14, 2014
information
by
Annamaria
on
March 20, 2014
Everything
by
Gina
on
March 17, 2014
This course was well organized & covered studies that demonstrated how & why certain groups of patients would be at increased risk when using e-stimulation. Also, points out importance of videofluroscopy before introducing e-stim.
by
Jill
on
February 25, 2014
information useful
by
Megan
on
February 22, 2014
Content, Literature Review
by
Angela
on
February 12, 2014
Strong presentation of evidence as basis for application to clinical practice
by
john
on
February 12, 2014
A good technical breakdown of how e-stim and vita stim may help or not.
by
Tina
on
January 30, 2014
Detailed
by
Amy
on
January 29, 2014
dynamic speaker, graphs and charts
by
Janet
on
January 23, 2014
Multiple evidence-based studies to guide treatment decisions.
by
Theresa
on
January 21, 2014
Christy Ludlow takes complex research and enables clinicians to apply it in a practical manner.
by
Susan
on
December 31, 2013
Well organized and presented. Good review of studies.
by
Angie
on
December 31, 2013
-very informative and thorough course
by
Christa
on
December 30, 2013
Provided empirical data on the effectiveness of Vitalstim.
by
Joy
on
December 28, 2013
The review of the research was very helpful.
by
Kimberly
on
December 28, 2013
Specific examples, multimedia, ref to literature
by
Carol A.
on
December 26, 2013
I have actively used other methods of dysphagia therapy, noting VitalStim has the best outcomes for me. It is another tool, not appropriate for all, just as DPNS is not appropriate for all. They are alternatives.
by
Suzanne
on
December 19, 2013
I'm new to this area. This course helped support what I am currently learning.
by
Jean
on
December 18, 2013
nice use of video, excellent review of studies
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Intermediate Level
0.1 ASHA CEUs
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