How long does VitalStim last?
How long does VitalStim last?
VitalStim® NMES works to improve swallowing by strengthening the throat muscles. Treatment sessions are generally given 3 to 5 days per week and last for 30 to 60 minutes each. Patients will undergo treatment for at least a few weeks, sometimes longer, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
What is vital stim used for?
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).
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.
What is NMES dysphagia?
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a treatment for dysphagia — a term we use to describe swallowing disorders. NMES uses a low-level electric current to activate muscles used for feeding and swallowing.
How much does a vital stim unit cost?
VitalStim Plus Electrotherapy and sEMG Biofeedback System
| Item Number | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| NC98105 | VitalStim Plus Electrotherapy System | $2,995.00 |
What does NMES feel like?
The electrical stimulation causes a slight tingling feeling in the stimulated muscles. This helps your child to know what muscles to use and when to use them. What else do I need to know? There are no known risks or side effects of NMES.
Can a VitalStim e-stim affect swallowing function?
With studies looking at VitalStim, if the patients do not actively use the supra- and infrahyoid muscles, it is highly unlikely that the e-stim would have any impact on their swallowing function. For example, one study described traditional therapy as oral exercises, diet modifications, and compensatory strategies (Heijnen et al, 2012).
What does it feel like when you have an e-stim?
Electrodes are placed around the site receiving therapy. The electrical current will begin on a low setting and increased gradually. You’ll get a tingly, “pins and needles” feeling at the site. Depending on the type of e-stim, you may feel a muscle twitch or contract repeatedly.
Can you use VitalStim as a stand-alone treatment?
So VitalStim is a tool that can be added to dysphagia therapy exercises, but it is not a stand-alone treatment. As with any therapy tool, it is appropriate for some patients but not others, and it is not a panacea that will work with all patients. Clinicians must apply critical reasoning skills in deciding when to use VitalStim.
How long does it take for an e-stim to work?
The electrical current will begin on a low setting and increased gradually. You’ll get a tingly, “pins and needles” feeling at the site. Depending on the type of e-stim, you may feel a muscle twitch or contract repeatedly. Each e-stim therapy session may last 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the condition being treated.