Evaluating the effectiveness of video-game based swallowing function training in patients with dysphagia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

We present the study design of a randomized controlled trial that evaluated whether video-game based swallowing rehabilitation training can effectively improve swallowing in patients with dysphagia and whether it has additional benefits compared with conventional training methods to improve swallowing function and training compliance among patients with dysphagia.MethodsA randomized controlled trial with 4  weeks of intervention and 4 weeks of follow-up will be conducted in a rehabilitation center in Beijing, China. We will enroll 78 patients aged 18–80 years with dysphagia. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group (video-game based swallowing function training) and the co ntrol group (conventional swallowing function training). All participants will receive 30 min of training per day, 5 times per week, for a total of 4 weeks. The primary outcome is swallowing function. Secondary outcomes include patients' quality of life, training compliance, and training satisfact ion. Outcomes are assessed at baseline (pre-treatment), 4 weeks of treatment (post-treatment), and 8 weeks (follow-up), and the assessor is not aware of the participants’ grouping.DiscussionThe protocol describes a new rehabilitation training method for dysphagia, which involves participant eligibility recruitment, recruitment strategies, and data analysis plan. The results of the study will inform the rehabilitation training and clinical care management of swallowing function in...
Source: Trials - Category: Research Source Type: clinical trials