Objective  To explore the effect of tongue pressure resistance feedback training in the rehabilitation of dysphagia in patients with ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods  A total of 100 patients with dysphagia after IS were randomly divided into control group (receiving conventional rehabilitation therapy and oral motor training) and experimental group (receiving tongue pressure resistance feedback training on the basis of conventional rehabilitation therapy), with 50 patients in each group. The treatment duration was 4 weeks for both groups. During the study, 3 patients dropped out due to personal reasons, and ultimately 49 patients in the control group and 48 patients in the experimental group completed the study. Before and after treatment, tongue muscle function was measured in both groups; videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) were used to measure temporal and kinematic parameters of swallowing; the Rosenbek Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was used to assess aspiration risk; the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SWAL-QOL) was used to evaluate quality of life; and occurrence of complications in both groups were compared.

Results  After 4 weeks of treatment, peak tongue pressure, mean tongue pressure, and tongue pressure duration increased inboth groups, with these indicators being higher in the experimental group than in the control group; oral transit time, soft palate elevation time, and hyoid bone displacement time shortened, while upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening time and laryngeal closure time prolonged, hyoid and thyroid cartilage movement (upward and anterior displacement) and UES opening degree increased, and pharyngeal contractile ratio (PCR) decreased in both groups, with these indicators being superior in the experimental group compared to the control group; PAS scores decreased and SWAL-QOL scores increased in both groups, with PAS scores being lower and SWAL-QOL scores being higher in the experimental group compared to the control group; the differences between the two groups in the aforementioned indicators were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The complication rate was 4.17% (2/48) in the experimental group and 10.20% (5/49) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05).

Conclusion  Tongue pressure resistance feedback training can improve tongue function and swallowing function, effectively reduce the risk of aspiration after swallowing, and enhance the quality of life of patients with dysphagia after IS during their rehabilitation treatment.