PATIENTS who have difficulty swallowing now have a new treatment option - electrodes placed on specific areas of the throat to stimulate muscle movement.
The treatment, known as 'e-stimulation', has been used with some success in the United States and is currently being tried out at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
Most of those with the condition, known as dysphagia, have had a stroke or are undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers.
Yesterday, SGH's senior principal speech therapist, Ms Radika Vasudeva, told a medical symposium on treating such cancers that e-stimulation is an option when patients don't respond to conventional therapy.
Traditional methods include modifying the patient's diet, neck exercises and various strategies to swallow safely.
E-stimulation has been used by physiotherapists for some time to stimulate muscles in various parts of the body, but it is only now that it is being used on the throat by speech therapists.
At the moment, SGH is trying out the treatment on two men, who have had surgical and radiography treatment for head and neck cancers.
Ms Vasudeva said one man was now able to manage his saliva better. She hopes in future he will be able to swallow a meal without difficulty.
'We're looking to get experts to come to Singapore to train other therapists,' she added.
Patient need an average of 10 $100 sessions. Each lasts 45 to 60 minutes.