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[Dysphagia after stroke treated with acupuncture or electric stimulation: a randomized controlled trial]
Zhen Huang1, Fen Huang, Hai-Xia Yan
1Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou 511400, Guangdong Province, China. mishz@126.com
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
|February 5, 2011
Summary
Acupuncture and electric stimulation combined with rehabilitation training significantly improve post-stroke dysphagia more than rehabilitation alone. Both acupuncture and electric stimulation show equal efficacy in treating swallowing difficulties after stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Integrative Medicine
Context:
- Post-stroke dysphagia is a common complication affecting patient recovery and quality of life.
- Conventional rehabilitation training offers some benefit but may not fully restore swallowing function.
- Exploring adjunct therapies is crucial for optimizing outcomes in stroke survivors.
Purpose:
- To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and electric stimulation, when used as adjuncts to rehabilitation training, for post-stroke dysphagia.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these combined approaches against conventional rehabilitation alone.
Summary:
- This study randomized 97 patients with post-stroke dysphagia into three groups: rehabilitation training alone (Group C), rehabilitation with acupuncture (Group A), and rehabilitation with electric stimulation (Group B).
- Swallowing function was assessed using the Watian drinking water experiment, stethocatharsis function scoring, and video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).
- Both acupuncture and electric stimulation groups showed significantly higher total effective rates (96.95% and 94.3%, respectively) compared to the rehabilitation-only group (66.7%).
Impact:
- The combination of acupuncture or electric stimulation with rehabilitation training offers superior therapeutic effects for post-stroke dysphagia compared to rehabilitation alone.
- Acupuncture and electric stimulation demonstrate comparable efficacy in improving swallowing function in stroke patients.
- These findings support the integration of acupuncture or electric stimulation into standard rehabilitation protocols to enhance recovery from post-stroke dysphagia.