VitalStim® Plus Electrotherapy & sEMG Biofeedback System

Chattanooga VitalStim® Plus Electrotherapy & sEMG Biofeedback System

The Chattanooga VitalStim Plus Electrotherapy System combines four-channel neuromuscular electrical stimulation with two-channel surface electromyography, or sEMG, for clinician-directed treatment of oral-pharyngeal dysfunction and dysphagia. It gives qualified healthcare professionals a single platform for electrical stimulation, muscle-activity biofeedback, triggered stimulation, patient education, and treatment documentation.

VitalStim Plus is designed specifically for swallowing rehabilitation rather than general-purpose TENS or portable muscle stimulation. Its treatment options include the dedicated VitalStim waveform, customizable VMS stimulation, standalone sEMG biofeedback, and sEMG-triggered stimulation. Bluetooth screen mirroring, an anatomical image library, instructional content, and exportable patient data help clinicians create an interactive therapy experience while tracking treatment performance. 

For additional information about integrating NMES into rehabilitation settings, read our guide to long-term care rehabilitation modalities.

VitalStim Plus at a Glance

A Specialized System for Dysphagia Rehabilitation

VitalStim Plus is designed to support muscle re-education of the swallowing musculature. The system brings several complementary tools into one portable clinical device:

• Four-channel stimulation allows clinicians to apply stimulation through as many as four channels during a treatment session.

• Two-channel sEMG biofeedback measures voluntary muscle activity and converts it into visual and audible feedback.

• Threshold-triggered stimulation can begin stimulation after the patient reaches a clinician-selected sEMG target.

• Custom VMS protocols allow adjustment of frequency, pulse duration, work time, rest time, ramping, and channel sequencing.

• Patient education resources include an anatomical library and videos demonstrating selected swallowing exercises and electrode-placement options.

• Treatment documentation allows patient-session data to be stored, reviewed, and exported.

• Bluetooth screen mirroring can display treatment progress on a compatible computer or tablet, making biofeedback easier for both clinician and patient to view. 

VitalStim Plus Treatment Modes

The system’s interface provides direct access to VitalStim, VMS, sEMG, sEMG plus stimulation, patient data, an anatomical library, and device utilities.

How sEMG Biofeedback Supports an Interactive Session

Surface electromyography measures the electrical activity produced during voluntary muscle contraction and relaxation. VitalStim Plus can display that activity on the device or a mirrored screen and convert it into audible feedback.

Instead of asking the patient to perform an exercise without objective feedback, the clinician can establish a target and show the patient how much activity is being generated. This can help structure repetitions, encourage active participation, and provide measurable treatment information.

During sEMG-triggered stimulation, the patient first attempts the prescribed swallowing exercise. When muscle activity reaches the selected threshold, the system changes to stimulation mode. The patient therefore initiates the activity rather than receiving stimulation without first attempting the movement.

VitalStim and VMS Waveform Specifications

Treatment parameters, electrode selection, electrode placement, patient screening, and treatment duration must be determined by a qualified practitioner following the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable professional requirements.

Built-In Patient Education and Treatment Tools

VitalStim Plus includes resources that can help clinicians explain the treatment process and keep patients engaged. Depending on the installed software and configuration, these resources include:

Who Is VitalStim Plus Designed For?

VitalStim Plus may be appropriate for professional environments that provide medically directed dysphagia evaluation and rehabilitation, including:

• Speech-language pathology departments

• Dysphagia and swallowing clinics

• Hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation centers

• Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities

• Neurological rehabilitation programs

• Head-and-neck rehabilitation programs

• Academic and clinical training environments

VitalStim Plus is a professional healthcare product. VitalStim Therapy should be administered by appropriately trained clinicians who have completed the applicable certification process and who are working within their licensure, scope of practice, prescription requirements, and facility protocols. 

VitalStim Plus vs. Other NMES Devices

VitalStim Plus should not be confused with a conventional portable NMES unit. General muscle stimulators may be appropriate for extremity muscle activation or other clinician-directed musculoskeletal programs, but they do not provide VitalStim’s dedicated dysphagia waveform, swallowing-focused interface, two-channel sEMG, threshold-triggered stimulation, anatomical library, or patient-data system.

Browse additional professional systems in our clinical electrotherapy collection, or compare portable options in the neuromuscular stimulation collection.

Standard VitalStim Plus Accessories

The manufacturer’s standard accessory list identifies the following components:

• Four color-coded snap lead wires for stimulation channels 1–4

• White sEMG reference lead wire

• Operator hand switch

• Lead-wire clips

• Device stand

• Stylus

• Protective rubber sleeve

• Battery door

Electrode style, size, placement, and compatibility are especially important for anterior-neck applications. Use only VitalStim electrodes and accessories specifically approved by the manufacturer and selected according to the prescribed clinical protocol. Contact Balego product support before ordering when compatibility is uncertain. 

Technical Specifications

Important Safety and Professional-Use Information

VitalStim Plus is a prescription professional device and is not intended as a consumer self-treatment unit. The practitioner must review the complete operator manual, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, electrode requirements, and treatment instructions before use.

Stimulation should not be applied over the carotid sinus, cancerous lesions in the treatment area, or swollen, infected, inflamed, or eruptive skin areas. Particular caution is required for patients with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices, suspected cardiac conditions, epilepsy, impaired sensation, or other listed risk factors. Patient selection is especially important in the management of dysphagia.

Only manufacturer-recommended lead wires, electrodes, and accessories should be used. This summary does not replace the complete VitalStim Plus instructions for use, professional training, medical evaluation, or clinician judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VitalStim Plus Electrotherapy System used for?

VitalStim Plus is a professional electrotherapy and sEMG biofeedback system designed for muscle re-education of the swallowing musculature in clinician-directed dysphagia rehabilitation. It combines a dedicated VitalStim waveform, customizable VMS stimulation, sEMG biofeedback, and sEMG-triggered stimulation.

How many channels does VitalStim Plus have?

The system provides up to four channels of electrical stimulation. Channels 1 and 2 may also be used for surface EMG measurement, giving the system two-channel sEMG capability.

What is the difference between sEMG and electrical stimulation?

sEMG measures electrical activity created by voluntary muscle contraction. Electrical stimulation delivers current through electrodes to activate targeted nerves and muscles. VitalStim Plus can use these separately or combine them so that stimulation begins when the patient reaches a selected sEMG threshold.

Can VitalStim Plus display treatment activity on a larger screen?

Yes. Bluetooth screen-mirroring technology can project live treatment activity to a compatible computer or tablet. This can make visual biofeedback easier to see and can support patient participation during prescribed exercises. 

Can VitalStim Plus save patient treatment data?

Yes. Stimulation and sEMG treatment data can be stored, displayed, and exported to a computer for progress tracking and report generation. Clinicians must follow applicable patient-privacy and facility data-handling policies. 

Is VitalStim Plus a TENS unit?

No. VitalStim Plus is a specialized NMES and sEMG biofeedback system for dysphagia rehabilitation. It does not provide conventional TENS, interferential, or Russian stimulation modes.

Can a patient purchase VitalStim Plus for unsupervised home treatment?

VitalStim Plus is a prescription professional device intended for use under the prescription and supervision of a licensed healthcare practitioner. It should not be positioned as a general consumer or unsupervised home-use stimulator.

Are VitalStim electrodes included?

The standard accessory list identifies the lead wires, sEMG reference lead, hand switch, stand, stylus, rubber sleeve, and battery door but does not identify treatment electrodes. Confirm the exact package contents and order approved VitalStim electrodes separately when required. 

Can standard TENS electrodes be used with VitalStim Plus?

Only electrodes and accessories specifically recommended for VitalStim Plus should be used. Standard general-purpose TENS or NMES electrodes should not be assumed to be suitable for anterior-neck or dysphagia applications.

Order the VitalStim Plus System from Balego

The Chattanooga VitalStim Plus gives qualified dysphagia professionals a portable system for four-channel stimulation, two-channel sEMG biofeedback, triggered stimulation, patient engagement, and treatment documentation.

Order the VitalStim Plus Electrotherapy and sEMG Biofeedback System, SKU 5923-3, or contact Balego for assistance with product information, approved accessories, clinic purchasing, or compatibility questions.