Study on rehabilitation effect of continuous nursing on patients with dysphagia in acute cerebral infarction

This study aims to investigate the impact of continuous care on the rehabilitation outcomes of patients with acute cerebral infarction accompanied by dysphagia. This retrospective study involved 119 patients with acute cerebral infarction and dysphagia admitted to Wuhan No. 4 Hospital from June 2022 to December 2023. Patients were divided into an experimental group (n = 56) receiving standard care plus continuous care, and a control group (n = 63) receiving standard care alone. Continuous care included follow-up calls, home visits, health education, and personalized rehabilitation. Outcomes assessed included swallowing function, Barthel Index, quality of life (SF-36, Stroke-Specific Quality of Life), medication adherence, mental health, complications, and readmission rates. In the experimental group, swallowing function scores increased from 3.1 ± 1.2 at baseline to 5.0 ± 0.7 at 6 months, while the control group increased from 3.4 ± 1.3 to 4.2 ± 0.8 (P < .05). The Barthel Index in the experimental group improved from 40.5 ± 10.3 to 85.3 ± 10.7 at 6 months, compared to an increase from 41.2 ± 9.8 to 78.5 ± 12.3 in the control group (P < .05). SF-36 scores in the experimental group rose from 60.5 ± 8.1 to 75.0 ± 6.5, while the control group increased from 61.2 ± 7.9 to 68.0 ± 6.8 (P < .05). The Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scores in the experimental group increased from 100.5 ± 15.3 to 130.2 ± 10.9 at 6 months, whereas the control group increased from 101.2 ± 14.9 to 120.5 ± 12.5 (P < .05). Medication adherence significantly improved in the experimental group, with the proportion of highly adherent patients increasing from 42.9% to 80.4% (P < .001), compared to an increase from 41.1% to 62.5% in the control group (P = .02). The incidence of aspiration pneumonia significantly lower than the control group (P = .02). The readmission rate was 14.3% in the experimental group, significantly lower than 30.4% in the control group (P = .002). Additionally, anxiety and depression scores in the experimental group were significantly reduced (P < .001). Continuous care significantly improves swallowing function, activities of daily living, and mental health in patients with acute cerebral infarction and dysphagia. It also reduces complications and readmission rates, demonstrating substantial clinical value.