title: Effects of electrical stimulation on vocal functions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on vocal functions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma following radiation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty newly treated NPC patients were recruited and randomized into NMES or traditional swallowing exercise (TE) group. Participants received intensive NMES or traditional swallowing therapy and were followed up until 12 months postrandomization. Fifty-seven participants completed the treatment and all of the follow-up assessments. The Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30) was used to measure the vocal functions of the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NMES group showed no significant changes to their vocal functions, whereas the TE group showed a short-term deterioration of voice functions at the 6-month follow-up. VHI-30 scores returned to the baseline level for both groups at the 12-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NMES is shown to provide a short-term benefit on vocal functions for NPC patients following radiation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  1b Laryngoscope, 127:1119-1124, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5483-580X
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Kathy Y-S
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Rita W M
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Yeptain
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Peter K M
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Eddy W Y
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hok-Nam
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Louisa K Y
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: C Andrew
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van Hasselt
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Michael C F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; randomized controlled trial; voice disorders; voice-related quality of life