Non Pharmacological Management for Xerostomia- A Systematic Review
ZE01-ZE05
Correspondence
R Lakshmi Swarna,
Bharathi Salai Ramapuram, Chennai 89, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: dr.swarna1oralpath@gmail.com
Introduction: There is a substantial amount of literature on electrical nerve stimulation for xerostomia, which includes both intra as well as extra oral techniques that has been used so far. A systematic review would provide a wide knowledge about the use of electrical stimulation as a treatment for xerostomia patients.
Aim: To provide a detailed report on the original research in field of electrical nerve stimulation used as a therapy for patients with xerostomia.
Materials and Methods: The primary database used was Medline (via PubMed) and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL). The article selection was carried out by two authors in order to avoid bias. Eligibility criteria for the studies were: it should be an original research, patients with xerostomia and the patients should have undergone any type of electrical nerve stimulation intervention. The finalised list of studies meeting the inclusion criteria was assessed for data extraction. A total of 11 studies was included after thorough verification of the guidelines and inclusion criteria.
Results: A total of 10 of the studies reported to show increase in the salivary flow on application of electrical stimulation for those patients with dry mouth irrespective of the aetiology. However high quality studies (i.e., detail recording of the history of dryness, onset, severity etc.,) with more precision about the impulse used and patient details is required for evaluating the effectiveness of the device to be used as an adjuvant treatment. Overall the results observed from this systematic review are that, the use of electrical nerve stimulation technique for treatment of xerostomia is a suitable modality as it is widely accepted by the patients, is a non-invasive procedure and has little or no adverse effects.
Conclusion: Electrostimulation is an effective way of triggering reflex salivary stimulation even in a partially atrophied gland or hypo secretion irrespective of its aetiology. The benefits being ease of usage and the acceptability of the patients among the current devices as it is noninvasive makes it an ideal therapeutic device for treating xerostomia.