The Role of NMES in Dysphagia Management and Neurogenic Disorders across the Lifespan

Dilgem and Stark & Watson is happy to welcome you to the 2-day Workshop: “The Role of NMES in Dysphagia  Management across the Lifespan: Adult & Pediatric Population” to be held between 22-23 May 2021.

Effective dysphagia treatment planning plays an important role in our patient’s therapeutic outcomes. The rehabilitation of dysphagia has evolved beyond just the use of compensatory strategies and diet modifications. This intermediate to advance level course for SLPs presents a structured approach to treating dysphagia based on its neuro-physiological underpinning and applying the principles of NMES to enhance patient outcomes.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) utilizes small electrical pulses to excite the peripheral nerves and evoke a muscle contraction via surface electrodes.  NMES can promote improved strength, timing and reeducation of the swallowing musculature in an engaging and interactive therapeutic format.

This certification course teaches clinicians the underlying key scientific principles including electrophysiology, surface electromyography, neuromuscular retraining and biofeedback, anatomy/physiology,  etiological concerns, efficacy data supporting treatment outcomes, treatment application for both adult and pediatric clinical populations, as well as hands-on practice, and practical considerations. The impact of NMES treatment on cortical re-organization from pre/post neural imaging data will be presented. An analysis of the historical and current evidence will also be shared.

NOTE: Participants will receive ​TensCare® Perfect EMS Device and workshop notes.

Doç. Dr. Marissa Barrera, MS, MPhil, MSCS, CCC-SLP, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Yeshiva University

Marissa A. Barrera, MS, MPhil, MSCS, CCC-SLP, PhD is an internationally recognized Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist. Dr. Barrera has extensive training in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with neurological conditions and is a leading expert on the use of modalities, including NMES for swallowing rehabilitation.

As a respected researcher and author, Dr. Barrera has lectured around the globe on a wide range of clinical care topics ranging from dysphagia, NMES, motor speech disorders, cognition and neurogenerative diseases.

She serves as the Program Director and Associate Professor of Yeshiva University's Graduate Program in medical speech-language pathology. Dr. Barrera is also the founder and owner of New York Neurogenic Speech-Language Pathology PC, in New York City. She graduated college summa cum laude, received her Masters of Science from Columbia University, and earned both her Masters of Philosophy and her PhD from the CUNY Graduate Center.​

Course Outcomes

• Identify the medical conditions for which NMES is indicated for the treatment of dysphagia
• Determine the candidacy criteria for the use of NMES in the treatment of dysphagia
• Identify the characteristics of NMES stimulation and discuss the importance of the properties of electrodes
• Discuss and demonstrate the application of the NMES therapeutic protocols in the treatment of dysphagia
• Describe and justify why there is a need for traditional swallowing exercises in conjunction with NMES
• Explain why adjustable electrical stimulation parameters maximize therapeutic outcomes.

Program Flow

• Electrophysiology,
• Surface electromyography,
• Neuromuscular retraining
• Biofeedback,
• Anatomy/physiology,
• Etiological concerns,
• Efficacy data supporting treatment outcomes,
• Treatment application for both adult and pediatric clinical populations,
• Hands-on practice, and practical considerations
• The impact of NMES treatment on cortical re-organization from pre/post neural imaging data
• An analysis of the historical and current evidence