Introduction:

neurogenic dysphagia is a set of swallowing disorders caused by diseases that affect the nervous system, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Specific complementary tests can be performed to evaluate and clarify the diagnosis, such as swallowing videoendoscopy, videofluoroscopy and surface electromyography. The present study arose from the need for greater availability of investigative methods for the early diagnosis of dysphagia.

Objective:

to evaluate the association between Surface Electromyography and swallowing videoendoscopy for the diagnosis of dysphagia in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Methods:

32 subjects participated, 16 from Group A, subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. and 16 from Group B, control. Based on the quantitative data generated by the tools, Surface Electromyography and Swallowing Videoendoscopy, descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

Result:

there was a strong statistical correlation between Surface Electromyography (rest to maximum voluntary contraction ratio) and Videoendoscopy of Swallowing (O’Neil swallowing scale). The correlation coefficient was r= -0.747, indicating a strong negative correlation (inversely proportional) between these variables.

Conclusion:

thus, there was an association between Surface Electromyography and Videoendoscopy of Swallowing for the diagnosis of dysphagia in subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Portable Surface Electromyography proved to be an important exam for the early diagnosis of neurogenic dysphagia.

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