Effects of swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with tongue pressure resistance feedback training on swallowing function and quality of life in patients with post-stroke dysphagia

Qin Ke; Wang Hongjun; Yu Xuan; Ran Li; Xu Yao; Li Xingyi; Gong Zili

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2024.11.13

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)combined with tongue pressure resistance feedback training(TPRFT)on swallowing function and quality of life in patients with post-stroke dysphagia(PSD),providing a reference for clinical treatment and rehabilitation strategies for PSD.Methods A total of 99 PSD patients admitted to Fengdu General Hospital from February 2019 to February 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a control group(49 cases)and an observation group(50 cases)using a random number table.The control group re-ceived swallowing NMES treatment,while the observation group received swallowing NMES combined with TPRFT.The rehabilitation outcomes,swallowing function,tongue pressure,hyolaryngeal complex mobility,quality of life,and compli-cations during treatment were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results The rehabilitation out-comes in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(Z=10.660,P＜0.001).Before treatment,no significant difference was observed in videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS)scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,VFSS scores in both groups wcre significantly higher than before treatment,and the observation group had significantly higher scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,no significant differ-ences were noted in avcrage tongue pressure,tongue pressure duration,or peak tongue pressure between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,these metrics improved significantly in both groups,with the observation group showing greater improvements than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,no significant differences were observed in hy-oid anterior displacement,hyoid superior displacement,thyroid cartilage superior displacement,or thyroid cartilage anterior displacement between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,these measures increased significantly in both groups,with the observation group showing greater increases than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,no significant differences were observed in the Swallowing Quality of Life(SWAL-QOL)scale scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,SWAL-QOL scores improved significantly in both groups,with the observation group showing greater im-provements than the control group(P＜0.05).The complication rate during treatment in the observation group was signifi-cantly lower than that in the control group[6.00％(3/50)vs.20.40％(10/49);X2=4.504,P=0.034].Conclusion Swallowing NMES combincd with TPRFT can promotc swallowing function and increase the quality of life in PSD patients while reducing the risk of complications during treatment.