Basic Concepts of Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback in the Treatment of Dysphagia: A Tutorial

Surface electromyographic (sEMG) biofeedback has been used to enhance behavioral treatment interventions in a variety of movement disorders involving the head and neck musculature. These include, but are not limited to, voice disorders (Andrews, Warner, & Stewart, 1986), dysarthria (Gentil, Aucouturier, Delong, & Sambuis, 1994), hemifacial spasm (Rubow, Rosenbek, Collins, & Celesia, 1984), mandibular closure (Nemec & Cohen, 1984), and dysphagia (Bryant, 1991; Crary, 1995). Despite the potential for widespread application of sEMG biofeedback-assisted treatments in motor disorders of the head and neck musculature, speech-language pathologists generally are not aware of these techniques or of their potential application to speech, voice, or swallowing disorders. The intent of this tutorial is to provide a general introduction to surface electromyographic biofeedback techniques as they may apply to the rehabilitation of dysphagia in adults. Specific examples are provided based on clinical management of patients with dysphagia following brainstem stroke.