Oral sensation training in patients with dysphagia and salivation after stroke

  Objective  To observe effect of oral sensation training on dysphagia and salivation after stroke.

  Methods  A total of 79 patients with dysphagia and salivation after stroke were randomly divided into control group (39 cases) and observation group (40 cases). The patients in the control group were treated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and routine deglutition therapy, and the patients in the observation group were given oral sensation training on the basis of the control group. Functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and salivation rating scale (TDS) were used to evaluate the swallowing function and salivation of the two groups before and after treatment. After 3 to 6 months of treatment, the patients were followed up, the effects of the patients were evaluated.

  Results  There were no significant differences in the scores of FOIS and TDS between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). The grading of FOIS in the observation group was greatly improved after treatment, and grading of TDS was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After 3 to 6 months of follow-up, the total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  NMES and routine deglutition therapy combined with sensory training can significantly improve deglutition and salivation after stroke.