ABSTRACT
@#Objective To explore the effect of family swallowing training program on swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy. Methods From September, 2020 to September, 2021, 45 patients with head and neck tumors who received radiotherapy in the oncology department of Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 23) and observation group (n = 22). Both groups received routine treatment, and the observation group received swallowing training program for 14 weeks at the beginning of radiotherapy, including six weeks of individualized guidance training in hospital and eight weeks of home training after leaving the hospital. The incisors spacing, body mass, Kubota Water Swallowing Test (WST) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) were compared at the beginning of training, six weeks and 14 weeks after training. Results At the beginning of training, there was no significant difference in incisor spacing, body mass and the scores of WST and FOIS between two groups (P > 0.05). Six weeks and 14 weeks after training, the incisors spacing, and the scores of WST and FOIS were better in the observation group than in the control group (|Z| > 2.332, P < 0.05). Conclusion Family-based swallowing training program is helpful to improve the limitation of mouth opening and dysphagia caused by radiotherapy. Family-based swallowing training program is simple, safe, economical and highly operable, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to stroke survivors with dysphagia caused by bulbar or pseudobulbar palsy.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors with dysphagia caused by bulbar or pseudobulbar palsy were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 30. All were given basic rehabilitation training, including cold stimulation of the pharynx and empty swallowing training twice a day, practicing the pronunciation of the sounds A, YI and WU five times a day, 30 to 60 repetitions of tongue aspirator training daily and three 15-minute massages with an electric toothbrush. Each subject also received 20 minutes of treatment with a Vocastim swallowing therapy apparatus every day, six times a week for two weeks. Those in the experimental group also received 20 minutes of tDCS every day, six times a week during the two weeks. Before and after the treatment, all were evaluated using the Kubota drinking water test, a functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and standardized swallowing assessment (SSA).Results:After the treatment, a significant improvement was observed in the average Kubata test scores, with the improvement of the experimental group significantly greater than that of the control group. The average FOIS score of those with pseudobulbar palsy in both groups also improved significantly, with the experimental group′s average significantly better than that of the control group. The average FOIS scores of those with bulbar palsy had also improved significantly, but there was no significant inter-group difference. The average SSA scores of those with pseudobulbar palsy in both groups improved significantly, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group. The average scores of those with bulbar palsy decreased significantly, but without significant inter-group differences.Conclusions:Transcranial direct current stimulation can usefully supplement basic swallowing training, especially for those with pseudobulbar palsy.