Description
eSWALLOW USA is revolutionizing Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) therapy for the treatment of dysphagia. Now, that same revolution is taking place in the area of NMES training for the protocols involving the use of estim devices in the treatment of dysphagia. eSWALLOW USA is an ASHA approved continuing education provider. SLPs will earn 2.0 CEUs for successfully completing this convenient online training program.
Upon successful completion of the online training each SLP will be required to complete a minimum of 4 hours of training under the supervision of a SLP who is certified in the use of NMES, and has utilized NMES in treatment for at least one year.
Training Coursework
• Anatomy and physiology of the swallow mechanism
• The five phases of the swallow are examined with a focus on the issues that are likely to afflict each phase
• Pathophysiology of swallowing including swallowing interventions specific to impairment
• Characteristic of electrical stimulation and its effect on muscle tissue
• Characteristic of NMES for the treatment of dysphagia including electrode placement specific to impairment
Learner Outcomes and Objectives
• Identify the anatomical structures of the swallow mechanism
• Identify the “surface anatomy” of the neck essential in electrode placement and the treatment of dysphagia
• Describe the 5 distinct phases of the normal swallow including physiological responses and the neurogenic control
• Describe the pathophysiological symptoms and disorders and their affect on swallowing
• Identify and Categorize Swallowing Deficits
• Describe the basic characteristic of electrical stimulation and its effect on muscle tissue
• Describe the characteristic of NMES for the treatment of swallowing
• Describe the key points and considerations of electrode positioning for the treatment of swallowing
• Describe understanding of swallowing interventions related to impairment and swallowing phase
• Demonstrate effective electrode placement specific to the dysphagia impairment
• Describe the necessity of the use of swallowing interventions to maximize the affects of NMES
The eSWALLOW USA NMES training includes the online course for 1.6 CEU’s (16 Contact hours) and the hands on electrode placement and 4 hour minimum training with a qualified SLP for .4 CEU’s (4 Contact hours) for a total of 2.0 CEU’s (20 contact hours). Instructor Disclosure: Not available. The content for this program was developed and published prior to the ASHA Continuing Education Board requiring instructional personnel to provide financial and non-financial disclosure statements.
