ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the rehabilitative effect of combining respiratory function training with balloon dilatation for persons with cricopharyngeal achalasia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:A total of 120 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after radiotherapy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 60. Both groups were treated with routine functional swallowing training and balloon dilatation, while the observation group was additionally provided with respiratory function training 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before the treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, the swallowing function of both groups was evaluated using video fluoroscopy (VFSS), a functional oral intake scale (FOIS), cricopharyngeal muscle functional status and the M. D. Anderson dysphagia inventory (MDADI).Results:After 4 weeks of treatment the average VFSS, FOIS and MDADI scores of both groups were significantly better than before the treatment, and significant improvement continued over the subsequent four weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment, the average VFSS, FOIS and MDADI scores of the observation group had again improved significantly. Physiology, functioning, and their emotional state were also adjudged to have improved compared with 4 weeks earlier and compared with the control group.Conclusion:Combining respiratory function training with balloon dilatation can improve swallowing and can significantly reduce or delay swallowing disorders among patients with cyclopharyngeal achalasia after radiotherapy.