TABLE 1.
Characteristics of the included studies
| Article, Year | Sample Size | Mean Age, yr | Sex | Stroke Type | Country/Region | Intervention | Stimulation Site | Duration of Treatment | Dosage | Electrode Size, cm2 | Main Outcome Measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahn et al.17 (2017) | 26 | 64 | 11 F/15 M | Chronic poststroke | Korea | Anodal to both hemispheres | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 20 mins, 10 d | 1 mA | 25 | DOSS |
| Kumar et al.9 (2011) | 14 | 70 | 7 F/7 M | Acute poststroke | America | Anodal to unaffected | Inferior sensorimotor cortex and premotor brain regions | 30 mins, 5 d | 2 mA | 15 | DOSS |
| Lai14 (2017) | 40 | 67.8 | 19 F/21 M | Chronic poststroke | China | Anodal to affected | Oral region of brain | 20 mins, 20 d | 0–2 mA | NA | Kubota Water Swallowing Test |
| Pingue et al.16 (2018) | 40 | 65.25 | 20 F/20 M | Chronic poststroke | Italy | Anodal to affected, cathodal to unaffected | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 30 mins, 10 d | 2 mA | 25 | DOSS and PAS |
| Shigematsu et al.12 (2013) | 20 | 65.8 | 7 F/13 M | Chronic poststroke | Japan | Anodal to affected | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 20 mins, 10 d | 1 mA | 35 | DOSS |
| Suntrup-Krueger et al.11 (2018) | 59 | 68.05 | 25 F/34 M | Acute poststroke | Germany | Anodal to unaffected | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 20 mins, 4 d | 1 mA | 35 | FEDSS, DSRS, and FOIS |
| Wang et al.15 (2019) | 40 | 62.8 | 12 F/28 M | Chronic poststroke | China | Anodal to unaffected | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 40 mins, 10 d | 1 .5 mA | 35 | MMASA |
| Wang et al.13 (2020) | 28 | 61.8 | 7 F/21 M | Chronic poststroke | China | Anodal to both hemispheres | Bilateral esophageal cortical area | 40 mins, 20 d | 1 mA | 25 | FDS, FOIS, and PESO |
| Yang et al.18 (2012) | 16 | 71 | 6 F/10 M | Chronic poststroke | South Korea | Anodal to affected | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 20 mins, 10 d | 1 mA | 25 | FDS |
| Ko et al.10 (2016) | 60 | NA | NA | Chronic poststroke | Korea | Anodal to both hemispheres | Pharyngeal motor cortex | 20 mins, 10 d | 1 mA | NA | DOSS |
DSRS, Dysphagia Severity Rating Scale; F, female; FDS, Functional Dysphagia Scale; FEDSS, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Dysphagia Severity Scale; FOIS, Functional Oral Intake Scale; M, male; NA, not available; PAS, Penetration-Aspiration Scale.