Application of ipsilateral high-frequency rTMS combined with biofeedback-based air swallowing training in patients with post-stroke dysphagia

GAO Panpan; ZHANG Qian; LIU Tinghui; SUN Jie

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.08.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the impact of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula-tion(rTMS)combined with biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training on treating dysphagia following a stroke.Methods A total of 152 patients with dysphagia after stroke,admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to January 2024,were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table,with 38 cases in each group.The biofeedback group received biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training,the magnetic stimulation group received high-frequency rTMS on the unaffected side,the combined group received both biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training and high-frequency rTMS on the unaffected side,and the placebo group received conventional swallowing training and sham rTMS.All interventions lasted for 4 weeks.Clinical efficacy was recorded,and pre-and post-treatment assessments of the upper esophageal sphincter(UES)opening time,opening degree,and pharyngeal contraction duration were performed using multifunctional esophageal manometry.Additionally,swallowing func-tion,nutritional status,neurological function,and quality of life were compared.Results The clinical efficacy of the combined group was higher than that of the biofeedback and magnetic stimulation groups.Post-treatment UES opening time,opening degree,and pharyngeal contraction duration were(205.33±29.01)ms,(1.14±0.34)cm,and(559.19±63.48)ms,respectively,which were significantly better than those in the other 3 groups(P<0.05).The swallowing function scores of the combined group were(6.04±0.83)and(20.03±3.26)points,and significant improvements were observed in swallowing function,nutritional status,neurological function,and quality of life(P<0.05).Conclusion High-frequency rTMS combined with biofeedback-based dry swallowing training signifi-cantly improves the efficacy in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke.