Effect of timing acupoint stimulation for dysphagia patients after stroke

  Objective   To explore the effect of timing acupoint stimulation for dysphagia patients after stroke.

  Methods   A total of 90 patients with dysphagia after stroke were selected, and were randomly divided into control group, timing acupoint stimulation group, and conventional acupoint stimulation group, with 30 cases in each group. Control group was given routine swallowing function training and oral care; on the basis of control group, timing acupoint stimulation group and conventional acupoint stimulation group were given timing acupoint stimulation and conventional time acupoint stimulation, respectively, twice a day for two weeks. Drinking Water Test (WST), the 10-item Eating-assessment Tool (EAT-10) and the Swallowing Quality-of-life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL)were used to evaluate the swallowing function and quality of life of the three groups.

  Results   After intervention, the total effective rate of timing acupoint stimulation group was higher than that of the conventional acupoint stimulation group and the control group, and the total effective rate of the conventional acupoint stimulation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the EAT-10 scores of the three groups were lower than that before intervention, and the EAT-10 score of the timing acupoint stimulation group was lower than that of the conventional acupoint stimulation group and the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, there was no significant difference in SWAL-QOL score in the control group compared with before intervention (P > 0.05). After intervention, the SWAL-QOL scores of the timing acupoint stimulation group and the conventional acupoint stimulation group were higher than before intervention, and the SWAL-QOL score of the timing acupoint stimulation group was higher than that of the conventional acupoint stimulation group and the control group, and was higher in the conventional acupoint stimulation group than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion   The curative effect of conventional acupoint stimulation for patients with dysphagia after stroke is better than that of conventional nursing, and the timing acupoint stimulation is better.