The effect of Liuzijue qigong for patients with post-stroke dysarthria and abnormal respiratory control: A randomized and controlled trial / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the effect of combining Liuzijue qigong with basic articulation training in the treatment of patients with post-stroke dysarthria.Methods:A total of 60 stroke survivors with dysarthria were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 30. In addition to basic articulation training, the observation group practiced Liuzijue qigong for 3 weeks while the control group received conventional breathing training. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the modified Frenchay dysarthria assessment (FDA), and in terms of maximum phonation time (MPT), maximal counting ability (MCA) and a special assessment of speech breathing.Results:After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements in both groups, but there was significantly greater improvement in the observation group in terms of the effectiveness of the speech breathing treatment (80%) and that group′s average MCA and FDA values compared with the control group.Conclusion:Liuzijue qigong training is superior to conventional breathing training when each is combined with basic articulation training in improving the speech breathing function and speaking ability of stroke survivors with dysarthria. It is worthy of promotion and application in clinical practice.