| Objective: To explore the efficacy of early VitalStim therapeutic apparatus combined with swallowing rehabilitation training on the rehabilitation prognosis of post-stroke dysphagia. Methods: Ninety-six patients with post-stroke dysphagia treated in our hospital were randomly divided into three groups. All three groups were treated with conventional cerebral infarction. Group A was treated with an early VitalStim therapy device, group B was given a treatment for swallowing rehabilitation training, and group C was treated with an early VitalStim therapy device combined with swallowing rehabilitation training. The swallow function, and quality of life improvement, the incidence of associated pneumonia (SAP) and improvement in nutritional testing indicators were compared among the three groups. Results: After treatment, the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) scores decreased in all three groups, and those in the group C were significantly lower than the rest two groups (P<0.05). The scores of quality of life in the three groups were significantly improved. The scores for the dietary control, on time medication, social function and mental health in the group C were significantly higher than those in the group A and group B (all P<0.05). Although vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, zinc, calories and fiber content in the diet were slightly increased in three groups after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups before and after treatment. The protein, dietary fiber and vitamin C and calcium levels in three groups after treatment were significantly increased as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the protein, vitamine C and calcium levels in group C were significantly higher than those in the resting two groups (P<0.05). The incidence of SAP in group C during the treatment period and within half a year after discharge was significantly lower than that in the rest two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The early VitalStim therapy device combined with swallowing rehailitation training for stroke patients can promote the recovery of swallowing function, promote the nutrition intake of patients, effectively improve the quality of life of patients and reduce the incidence of SAP. |
