Question
Is VitalStim therapy contraindicated in patients who have electronic devices such as pacemakers or internal defibrillators?
Answer
During VitalStim Therapy a low amplitude current passes through surface electrodes to the swallowing muscles in the anterior neck. This kind of muscle stimulation is typically referred to as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). The FDA normally considers implanted electronic devices a contraindication for the use of NMES but in the case of VitalStim Therapy this is not the case because of the low amplitude used. An implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker is still labeled as a precaution to the use of VitalStim Therapy, which means that the therapist must observe the patient for any signs of electromagnetic interference (EMI) between the implanted and the external device. If EMI occurs the treatment should be discontinued and the referring physician should be contacted. Such occurrences are however very unlikely and have to date not been reported.
Yorick Wijting, PT, DPT. Yorick received his degree in Physical Therapy in the Netherlands. He has practiced physical therapy in various care settings across Europe, South Africa and the United States. He has extensive training and practical experience in electrotherapy and teaches nationally and internationally to medical professionals on its therapeutic use. Yorick has been instrumental in promoting and developing the use of electrical stimulation by Speech Language Pathologists in the treatment of dysphagia (VitalStim Therapy). Yorick currently lives in California and works with Empi Recovery Sciences as the Director of Clinical and Market Development, focusing primarily on VitalStim Therapy. In this role he promotes research initiatives, facilitates educational programs and assists in the development of new methodologies and applications for electrotherapy.
Yorick Wijting Pt
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