Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
Transcranial direct current stimulation improves the swallowing function in patients with cricopharyngeal muscle
Zhi-Yong Wang1, Jian-Min Chen1, Zheng-Kun Lin2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with conventional swallowing training on the swallowing function in brainstem stroke patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction (CPD).
Methods:
Twenty-eight brainstem stroke patients with CPD were assigned randomly to an anodal tDCS group or a sham tDCS group. The patients received anodal tDCS or sham tDCS over the bilateral oesophageal cortical area combined with simultaneous catheter balloon dilatation and conventional swallowing therapy for 20 days. Swallowing function was assessed using the functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and the functional dysphagia scale (FDS) and by measuring the pharyngoesophageal Segment Opening (PESO) before and immediately after the intervention.
Results:
Both groups showed a significant improvement in the FDS, FOIS and PESO scores immediately after the intervention (all p < .005). However, compared with the sham stimulation group, the anodal tDCS group showed greater improvements in the FDS, FOIS and PESO scores immediately after the intervention (all p < .005).
Conclusion:
The bihemispheric anodal tDCS combined with simultaneous catheter balloon dilatation and conventional swallowing therapy effectively improves the swallowing function in patients with CPD caused by a brainstem stroke. tDCS may be an effective adjuvant therapy in CPD rehabilitation.
