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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation on the autonomic nervous system for improving swallowing function in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Seventeen patients hospitalized at Busan T Rehabilitation Hospital participated in this study; only those who voluntarily agreed to participate were included. All participants had dysphagia; nine had cerebral infarction and nine had cerebral hemorrhage, and were classified as stroke patients. Functional electrical stimulation for swallowing was performed using a Vitalstim electrical stimulation device (SME Inc., USA) for 30 min/day, five times a week. Autonomic nervous system activity was measured using a pulse-wave pulsoximeter (Ubioclip, Biosensecretive, ROK) before and after electrical stimulation. The analyzed variables included mean heart rate, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), LF/HF ratio, standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). All data were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: There were no statistically significant differences before and after the intervention in the mean heart rate, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio, SDNN, and RMSSD among the 17 patients with dysphagia who received functional electrical stimulation therapy (p>.05). Conclusion: Functional electrical stimulation therapy administered by an occupational therapist did not affect the autonomic nervous system in patients with dysphagia, indicating that the intervention was safe. However, because the SDNN and RMSSD values decreased, occupational therapists should apply the treatment with caution. Further studies are required to establish safer treatment protocols for these conditions.