Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Conventional Swallowing Rehabilitation Training on Post-stroke Dysphagia

AbstractTo observe the clinical effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with conventional swallowing rehabilitation training on post-stroke dysphagia and explore its long-term efficacy. A total of 40 patients with dysphagia after the first stroke were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 20) and a conventional group (n = 20). The treatment group received tDCS combined with conventional swallowing rehabilitation training, while the conventional group only received conventional swallowing rehabilitation training. The Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) Scale and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) were used to assess dysphagia before and after treatment, at the end of 10 treatments, and at the 3-month follow-up. The changes in infection indicators [the white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT)], the oxygenation indicator [arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)] and nutrition-related indicators [hemoglobin (Hb) and serum prealbumin (PAB)] were compared before and after treatment. The SSA and PAS scores were lower in both groups after treatment than before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P <  0.01). The SSA and PAS scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the conventional group before and after treatment and during follow-up, and the difference was statistically significant (P <  0.05,P <  0.01). A within-group comparison showed tha...
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: research