Objective: To explore the effects of high-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation (rPMS) on the suprahyoid muscles and low-frequency rPMS on the motor cortex representation area of the unaffected side’s suprahyoid muscles on swallowing function in patients with swallowing disorders after stroke. Methods: A total of 80 subacute stroke patients with swallowing disorders were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group, the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) group, the rPMS group, and the combined treatment group, with 20 patients in each group. All patients received routine swallowing training. The rTMS group received low-frequency rTMS targeting the motor cortex representation area of the unaffected side’s suprahyoid muscles, while the rPMS group received high-frequency rPMS on the suprahyoid muscles. The combined treatment group received rTMS treatment at the first week and rPMS treatment at the second week. Before and two weeks after treatment, Wada drinking water test (WST) and repeated saliva swallowing test (RSST) were performed, and the Murray secretion assessment scale (MSS), Rosenbek Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), and Yale pharyngeal residue assessment scale (YPRS) were evaluated. Results: After two weeks of treatment, there were no significant differences in the Wada drinking test grading and repeated saliva swallowing test scores across the four groups. The Murray secretion assessment, infiltration/aspiration grading, and Yale pharyngeal residue assessment in the rTMS group, rPMS group, and combined group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the Yale pharyngeal residue level in the combined group was significantly lower than that in the rTMS group and rPMS group (P<0.05). Conclusion: For stroke patients with dysphagia, both rPMS and rTMS treatments can more effectively improve swallowing function than conventional swallowing rehabilitation training. Furthermore, the combination of rPMS and rTMS may yield better results than single magnetic stimulation treatments, significantly reducing secretion and food residue. |