Impact of Oral Sensory Function Including Proprioception on Swallowing in Patients With Stroke

The aim of the study was to assess oral sensory deficits and their correlation with mastication and swallowing in patients with stroke.

This prospective observational study was conducted in the stroke unit of a rehabilitation hospital. The inclusion criterion was first occurrence of stroke with a unilateral lesion. Patients underwent oral sensory tests, including tactile sensation (light touch, two-point discrimination) and proprioception, along with mastication and swallowing assessments via videofluoroscopic swallowing study and Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids.

Among 36 patients, contralesional sides exhibited reduced oral sensory function (light touch, two-point discrimination, and proprioception of lips) compared with ipsilesional sides ( P = 0.003, P = 0.001, P = 0.046, respectively). Oral proprioception was negatively correlated with mastication and swallowing. Proprioception of tongue showed negative correlation with mastication ( P = 0.035), while combined value of proprioception of teeth, lip, and tongue showed negative correlation with time per swallow. Contralesional light touch and two-point discrimination influenced swallow items in Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids and pharyngeal phase items in videofluoroscopic swallowing study.

Patients with stroke demonstrated contralesional oral sensory deficits, which were associated with impaired mastication and swallowing. Oral proprioception was correlated with mastication and swallowing, whereas tactile sensation correlated with the pharyngeal phase.