Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation on the Submental Area: The Relations of Biopsychological Factors with Maximum Amplitude Tolerance and Perceived Discomfort Level

This study explored the relation of biopsychological factors with MAT and perceived discomfort related to TES in the submental area. A convenience sample of thirty community-dwelling older adults between 60 and 70  years of age provided data for this study. Gender, submental adipose tissue thickness, perceptual pain sensitivity, and pain-coping strategies were evaluated for each subject. Subsequently, MAT and perceived discomfort level were determined using TES on the submental area. Relation of different bi opsychological variables with MAT and discomfort level was examined using Pearson and Spearman correlation, and Mann–Whitney U test. Results indicated that neither gender nor adipose thickness was related to MAT and perceived discomfort. Among studied pain-coping strategies, catastrophizing was si gnificantly related to MAT(r = – 0.552,p <  .002). Distraction was significantly related to perceived discomfort level (r = − 0.561,p <  0.002). Given the negative impact of pain catastrophizing on MAT and the positive impact of distraction on perceiving discomfort, these coping strategies should be considered as amplitude-limiting and discomfort-moderating factors in TES-based dysphagia rehabilitation.
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: research