Impact of oral function on regaining oral intake and adjusting diet forms for acute stroke patients

Outcome prediction for dysphagia recovery is essential for rehabilitation treatment planning. Several studies have reported various predictors for resuming oral feeding after post-stroke dysphagia. However, evidence on oral health and function, a crucial part of feeding, has rarely been reported. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify the oral status-related factors that could predict oral intake resumption in acute stroke patients.

80 acute stroke patients with dysphagia were included. Clinical data, including the changes of general condition, oral and swallowing functions, were collected once a week until discharge. Patients were divided into two groups based on the outcome of the food intake level scale at discharge, and data were compared between the groups.

60 patients had regained complete oral intake before discharge. Multiple logistic regression showed that posterior tongue pressure could significantly predict complete oral intake recovery. Tongue pressure and modified water swallowing test score also significantly influenced diet forms. In addition, Spearman correlation analysis showed that improvement of other oral status-related factors, such as oral moisture and dentition status, also indicated the improvement of diet forms and swallowing function during the hospital stay.

Tongue pressure measurement could be a useful oral status-related indicator for predicting complete oral intake and adjusting diet forms for acute stroke patients during hospitalization. Acute stroke patients should receive proper oral status evaluation and implementation to enhance functional recovery.