Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Therapy
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) therapy is one of the many advanced treatments our Children’s Health℠ Speech Therapy team uses for children who struggle to eat and swallow. NMES therapy gently stimulates the throat muscles, helping them become strong enough for children to safely eat and drink. All our Children’s Health speech-language pathologists (SLP) care for children of all ages and conditions, helping them build the strength they need to have a more typical diet confidently and comfortably.
What is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
NMES therapy is for people who have dysphagia, which means trouble swallowing. This condition can result in food or liquids entering your child’s airway when they eat or drink.
NMES therapy sends low electronic pulses to the throat muscles, training the muscles to know when to swallow. People eat and drink throughout treatment, helping their muscles get used to swallowing properly.
With each session, the throat muscles will get stronger and your child will be able to increase the types of foods and liquids they can have.
What are the benefits of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
NMES therapy strengthens and trains your child’s throat muscles so they can eat and drink safely.
We will partner with you and your child to make their NMES therapy successful and comfortable. Our patient-centered approach includes prioritizing your child’s goals and quality of life outside of the clinic. Your child’s therapist will teach you how to integrate foods into mealtime at home.
NMES can help your child:
Eat on their own
Swallow without choking
Increase food options
Receive the right nutrition by mouth
No longer need a feeding tube
While your child may not be able to eat all foods, they will likely be able to enjoy a more typical diet and feed themselves with less supervision and help.
Some children no longer need to use a feeding tube after NMES therapy.
What are the risks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
NMES is a safe treatment and has no risks.
What to expect with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
Your child’s SLP will do a swallow study and other tests to determine if your child would benefit from NMES.
A NMES therapy session is usually 60 minutes long. Sessions are scheduled depending on your child’s needs. Most children complete their NMES therapy in about a month.
What to expect before neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
Children should come to a treatment session hungry because they will need to eat as much as they can. Your SLP might ask you to bring familiar utensils, plates or cups from home.
What to expect during neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
Each NMES therapy session begins by putting electrodes (small stickers with wires connected to the NMES machine) on your child’s neck. In the beginning, your child may feel a slight stinging or “pins and needles” sensation.
After a few sessions, the sensation will feel more like “tugging and pulling.” Most children are able to tolerate the gentle electric pulses and get used to the feeling. Your child’s SLP will do everything possible to make your child feel comfortable throughout their session.
During the treatment, the SLP will help your child eat and drink as much as they can. They may also bring you into the session, to prepare food and feed your child as they receive treatment. We want you and your child to build a comfortable and positive rhythm with mealtime.
What to expect after a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy treatment?
Throughout your child’s treatment, your SLP will give you some exercises to do between sessions to build on the strength your child gains. However, it is also important to let the muscles rest in between sessions.
How do I prepare my child for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
Our team can help you prepare to talk with your child about NMES therapy. We will also talk to you and your child about the therapy, how it can help them and what to expect during treatment. We can also arrange for our child life specialists to help your child be more comfortable during treatment.
What questions should I ask my child's doctor and speech-language pathologist about neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
You can ask your doctor or speech-language pathologist questions like:
When will you know if my child can start eating without a feeding tube?
Will my child need a feeding tube after NMES therapy?
What happens if the therapy doesn’t work?
The doctors and speech therapists who provided NMES treatment are part of our rehabilitation medicine team. They are trained to diagnose and design custom treatment plans to improve and restore functions after injury or illness or adapt to genetic and developmental conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any alternative treatments to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
Who might benefit from neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy?
My child is afraid of eating, how will you help them overcome this fear?
Children's Health Resources
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Dysphagia, National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders