Trial reportStroke2016
Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Dysphagia in Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Registry-linked trialOpen access · hybridAbstract readMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph
Trial report in Stroke, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05190718 (Register Study), which is not on this map. Cited by 69 papers, 12 of them syntheses that pooled it.
0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
69citing papers in PubMed, 12 pooled it
23.7field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Register Study: Implementation of Pharyngeal Electrostimulation Therapy for the Treatment of Acute Neurogenic Dysphagia
Who cites it
69 citing papers in PubMed, 12 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 151 citations in OpenAlex.
- Neuromuscular-related interventions for post-stroke dysphagia: a comprehensive narrative review.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2026Pooled it
- A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Effects of Sensory Modulation Treatments for Neurogenic Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2025Pooled it
- Effects of four non-invasive stimulations on swallowing function and quality of life of stroke patients-a network meta-analysis.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2025Pooled it
- Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with different stimulation parameters on post-stroke dysphagia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Pooled it
- Effects of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on the Swallowing Function of Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.Journal of oral rehabilitation · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Post-stroke Dysphagia: Prognosis and Treatment-A Systematic Review of RCT on Interventional Treatments for Dysphagia Following Subacute Stroke.Frontiers in neurology · 2022Pooled it
- Transcranial direct current stimulation for post-stroke dysphagia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of neurology · 2021Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia in acute and critical care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Intensive care medicine · 2020Pooled it
- Hypersalivation: update of the German S2k guideline (AWMF) in short form.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2019Guideline
- Swallowing therapy for dysphagia in acute and subacute stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- Pharyngeal electrical stimulation to treat dysphagia in acute stroke: learnings from cases in the PhEED clinical trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicine · 2025Trial
- Treating postextubation dysphagia after stroke with pharyngeal electrical stimulation -insights from a randomized controlled pilot trial.Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2025Trial
- Community-based group rehabilitation program for stroke patients with dysphagia on quality of life, depression symptoms, and swallowing function: a randomized controlled trial.BMC geriatrics · 2023Trial
- Kinematic mechanism of the rehabilitative effect of 4-channel NMES: post-hoc analysis of a prospective randomized controlled study.Scientific reports · 2023Trial
- Clinical effectiveness of the sequential 4-channel NMES compared with that of the conventional 2-channel NMES for the treatment of dysphagia in a prospective double-blind randomized controlled study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · 2021Trial
- Facilitation of oral sensitivity by electrical stimulation of the faucial pillars.Scientific reports · 2021Trial
- Effects of oral neuromuscular training on swallowing dysfunction among older people in intermediate care-a cluster randomised, controlled trial.Age and ageing · 2019Trial
- Comparison of the Efficacy of Electrical Stimulation Modalities in Treating Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Meta-Analysis.Dysphagia · 2026Review
9 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
14 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Philip M BathFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.). philip.bath@nottingham.ac.uk.
Polly ScuttFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Jo LoveFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Pere ClavéFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
David CohenFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Rainer DziewasFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Helle K IversenFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Christian LedlFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Suzanne RagabFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Hassan SodaFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Anushka WarusevitaneFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Virginie WoisardFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Shaheen HamdyFrom the Stroke Trials Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (P.M.B., P.S.); Phagenesis, Ltd, Manchester Science Park, United Kingdom (J.L.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Hospital de Mataró, Universitat Autònoma de Mataró, Spain (P.C.); Stroke Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.C.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (R.D.); Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark (H.K.I.); Schoen Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany (C.L.); Stroke Service, Poole Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom (S.R.); Neurology Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany (H.S.); Acute Stroke Unit, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom (A.W.); Unité de la voix et de la deglutition, Service ORL CHU de Toulouse, Octogone Lordat Université Toulouse Mirail, France (V.W.); and Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (S.H.).
Swallowing Treatment Using Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation (STEPS) Trial Investigators
Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas · ES
Funding
Department of Health PB-PG-0107-12076Medical Research Council G0400979
Abstract
background and purposeDysphagia is common after stroke, associated with increased death and dependency, and treatment options are limited. Pharyngeal electric stimulation (PES) is a novel treatment for poststroke dysphagia that has shown promise in 3 pilot randomized controlled trials.
methodsWe randomly assigned 162 patients with a recent ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and dysphagia, defined as a penetration aspiration score (PAS) of ≥3 on video fluoroscopy, to PES or sham treatment given on 3 consecutive days. The primary outcome was swallowing safety, assessed using the PAS, at 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes included dysphagia severity, function, quality of life, and serious adverse events at 6 and 12 weeks.
resultsIn randomized patients, the mean age was 74 years, male 58%, ischemic stroke 89%, and PAS 4.8. The mean treatment current was 14.8 (7.9) mA and duration 9.9 (1.2) minutes per session. On the basis of previous data, 45 patients (58.4%) randomized to PES seemed to receive suboptimal stimulation. The PAS at 2 weeks, adjusted for baseline, did not differ between the randomized groups: PES 3.7 (2.0) versus sham 3.6 (1.9), P=0.60. Similarly, the secondary outcomes did not differ, including clinical swallowing and functional outcome. No serious adverse device-related events occurred.
conclusionsIn patients with subacute stroke and dysphagia, PES was safe but did not improve dysphagia. Undertreatment of patients receiving PES may have contributed to the neutral result. CLINICAL
trial registrationURL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN25681641.
Indexed as
Outcome Assessment, Health CareAgedAged, 80 and overBrain IschemiaCerebral HemorrhageDeglutition DisordersDouble-Blind MethodElectric Stimulation TherapyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPharynxPhotofluorographyStrokedysphagiapharyngeal electrical stimulationrandomized controlled trialstroke
Identifiers
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Read underepoch 390
Registered trials
NCT05190718ClinicalTrials.gov
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.