Observation on the Efficacy of Acupuncture at Three Tongue Points plus Vitalstim Electrical Stimulation in Treating Deglutition Disorder After Cerebral Stroke / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at three tongue points plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation in treating deglutition disorder after cerebral stroke. Method Seventy patients with deglutition disorder after cerebral stroke were randomized to treatment and control groups, with 35 cases in each group. Both groups received conventional medication treatment. In addition, the treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at three tongue points plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation, while the control group was intervened by swallowing rehabilitation training. Kubota water swallowing test assessment rating, Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) score and Swallow Quality-of-life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) score in the two groups were observed before and at the end of the treatment, and the clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared. Result The Kubota water swallowing test assessment rating, SSA score and SWAL-QOL score all showed a significant change after the treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the Kubota water swallowing test assessment rating, SSA score and SWAL-QOL score in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 87.5％ in the treatment group and 73.3％ in the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at three tongue points plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation is an effective approach in treating deglutition disorder after cerebral stroke. It can improve swallowing function and quality of life in the patients.