CPA will offer VitalStim® Therapy services from January 2025.
Contact your CPA Client Services Consultant now to book an appointment to discuss this intervention with a speech pathologist. We can also assist clients to request NDIS funding to access this treatment.
During the therapy, our speech pathologists who are trained VitalStim® Providers combines this treatment with traditional swallowing exercises and practise to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is one of a select few providers of VitalStim® Therapy in Australia. We are excited and proud to offer this innovative evidence-based therapy to clients.
Many individuals with cerebral palsy also have a medical condition called dysphagia, or difficulties with swallowing. This condition impacts how a person eats, drinks, and manages saliva. It can potentially cause serious complications like malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. Effective management of dysphagia is vital.
What does VitalStim® Therapy involve?
The therapy involves a series of sessions where a trained VitalStim® Provider places electrodes on the client’s neck and cheeks to transmit small electrical currents to stimulate the targeted muscles involved in eating, drinking and swallowing. While the device is operating, the therapist guides the client through functional swallowing exercises and practice. The combination of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and active participation in therapy exercises can help to improve chewing and swallowing.
VitalStim® Therapy program at CPA
CPA’s VitalStim® Therapy program typically includes:
Note: The program may vary based on individual needs and outcomes. Sometimes two or three blocks of therapy may be recommended.
What are the expected outcomes? *
VitalStim® Therapy may lead to the following outcomes for people with cerebral palsy and similar physical disabilities:
Who is VitalStim® Therapy suitable for?
VitalStim® Therapy can help people of all ages (babies, children and adults) with cerebral palsy and similar physical disabilities who have dysphagia or experience:
There are some medical symptoms and conditions that are unsuitable for this treatment. A VitalStim® Therapy Provider will work together with your healthcare team to evaluate your medical history and make sure this therapy is suitable for you.
Disclaimer:
This overview is for general information purposes. Individual results with VitalStim® Therapy may vary. Consult with our specialists for a personalised assessment.
CPA will offer VitalStim® Therapy services from January 2025.
Contact your CPA Client Services Consultant now to book an appointment to discuss this intervention with a speech pathologist. We can also assist clients to request NDIS funding to access this treatment.
You do not require a doctor’s approval. But it is recommended that you and your speech pathologist consult your doctor.
A VitalStim® Therapy Provider will work together with your healthcare team to evaluate your medical history and make sure this therapy is suitable for you. Some medical symptoms and conditions are unsuitable for VitalStim® Therapy treatment including:
There have been no adverse events reported in the current literature or to the food and drug administration in the USA over the 18 years it has been used in a clinical setting.
No, in the hands of a trained professional, the device is designed to deliver the electrical impulses at a level that will not trigger a pain response.
There are over 100 published research papers, most of which are within the last decade. It is considered a green light intervention for the treatment of dysphagia based on the evidence currently available.
Assessment of eating and drinking skills. This includes an observation of the individual’s mealtime skills, and a determination for the placement of the VitalStim® Therapy electrodes.
Appointments will be available and conducted at all CPA centres in NSW and ACT from January 2025.
No, the appointments do not need to be scheduled at mealtimes.
Less than three appointments per week for three weeks will not provide the expected outcomes.
The three appointments per week do not need to be on consecutive days during the week.
Please contact us. We can assist clients to request NDIS funding to access this treatment.
CPA will offer VitalStim® Therapy services from January 2025.
Contact your CPA Client Services Consultant now to book an appointment to discuss this intervention with a speech pathologist. We can also assist clients to request NDIS funding to access this treatment.
We will respond as soon as possible, between Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Disclaimer:
This overview is for general information purposes. Individual results with VitalStim® Therapy may vary. Consult with our specialists for a personalised assessment.
*References:
Improved eating, drinking and swallowing function:
Woo Jin Song, Ji Hyuk Park & Joo Hyun Lee, Min Young Kim. (2015) Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Functions in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy. 25,1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hkjot.2015.05.001
Umay, E, Gurcay, E, Ozturk, E. &Unlu, A. (2020) Is sensory-level electrical stimulation effective in cerebral palsy children with dysphagia? A randomized controlled clinical trial. Acta Neurology 120(5):1097-1105. doi:10.1007/s13760-018-01071-6
Improved ability to swallow safely
Ma & Choi (2019) Effect of electrical stimulation on aspiration in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia. The Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 3, 93–94. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.31.93
Andreoli S., Wilson, B. & Swanson C. (2019) Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves feeding and aspiration status in medically complex children undergoing feeding therapy. International Journal of Pediatrics. 127, 109646 doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109646
Improved quality of life resulting from improved eating, drinking and swallowing skills.
Smith R., Bryant, L. & Hemsley, B. (2022) Dysphagia and Quality of Life, Participation, and Inclusion Experiences and Outcomes for Adults and Children With Dysphagia: A Scoping Review. Perspectives. 7(1), 181-196. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_PERSP-21-00162
