# Effects of interferential current transcutaneous electrical sensory stimulation in patients with severe dementia and dysphagia in long-term care facilities

## TL;DR

This study found that a type of electrical stimulation improved food intake in dementia patients with swallowing difficulties living in long-term care facilities.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the potential of IFC-TESS to enhance oral intake in severe dementia patients with dysphagia.

## Key findings

- Patients showed significant improvement in oral calorie intake after 3 weeks of IFC-TESS.
- Improved oral intake suggests better nutritional status in participants.
- IFC-TESS may be a viable intervention for enhancing food intake in this patient group.

## Abstract

The aim of the study was to ascertain the efficacy of interferential current-transcutaneous electrical sensory stimulation (IFC-TESS) in treating patients with severe dementia accompanied by dysphagia who reside in long-term care facilities.

We conducted a comparative intervention study. Forty-four patients with severe dementia and dysphagia in a long-term care facility were administered IFC-TESS for 15 min twice daily, 5 days a week. The clinical findings before and after 3 weeks of intervention were compared.

The study participants showed significant improvement in oral calorie intake after the intervention (p<0.05). The oral calorie intake indicated an improved nutritional state.

IFC-TESS may be effective in improving oral intake by patients with dementia.

The trial was registered at UMIN-CTR under the identifier UMIN000032262 (Registration date: 16/04/2018).