Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation frequency on muscles of the tongue |
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| Authors: | Heidi Kletzien MS John A. Russell PhD Glen Leverson PhD Nadine P. Connor PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1300 University Avenue, Room 481, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA;2. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA;3. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the treatment of swallowing disorders is delivered at a variety of stimulation frequencies. We examined the effects of stimulation frequency on tongue muscle plasticity in an aging rat model. Methods: Eighty‐six young, middle‐aged, and old rats were assigned to either bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation at 10 or 100 Hz (5 days/week, 8 weeks), sham, or no‐implantation conditions. Muscle contractile properties and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition were determined for hyoglossus (HG) and styloglossus (SG) muscles. Results: Eight weeks of 100‐Hz stimulation resulted in the greatest changes in muscle contractile function with significantly longer contraction and half‐decay times, the greatest reduction in fatigue, and a transition toward slowly contracting, fatigue‐resistant MyHC isoforms. Discussion: NMES at 100‐Hz induced considerable changes in contractile and phenotypic profiles of HG and SG muscles, suggesting higher frequency NMES may yield a greater therapeutic effect. Muscle Nerve, 2018 |
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| Keywords: | aging neuromuscular electrical stimulation rodent model stimulation frequency swallowing disorders tongue musculature |
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