Effect of He’s Santong Needling Method on Dysphagia after Stroke: A Study Protocol for a Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Abstract

Background Dysphagia is a common complication of stroke, affecting up to 78% of stroke patients. The existence of dysphagia after stroke has been associated with an increased risk for pulmonary complications and even mortality. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture could be potential therapeutic method for treatment of dysphagia after stroke. A prospective randomized controlled pilot trial is designed to evaluate the effect of He's Santong needling method on dysphagia after stroke. Methods and Design Sixty eligible participants will be recruited and randomly assigned into treatment group (He's Santong needling method and swallowing rehabilitation training) and control group (swallowing rehabilitation training) in a 1:1 ratio. All treatments will be provided everyday on weekdays with a two-day interval at the weekend, during a total treatment course of four weeks. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing will be assessed at baseline and endpoint (Week 4) as primary outcomes. The Saitoh's classification score, Swallowing-Related Quality of Life score, the Modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability score, and Surface Electromyography will be evaluated at baseline and endpoint as secondary outcomes. Ethics and Dissemination The trial protocol has been approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University on 9 May 2017 (ethical batch number: 2017BL-013-02). Each participant will be notified regarding the study protocol. Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant. Trial Registration ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN68981054; Registered on 25 September 2017.

Nursing Dysphagia Screening To Preventing The Occurrence Of Pneumonia In Stroke Patients In Indonesia (Comparison Between The National Institutes Of Health Stroke Scale, Nursing Admission Screening Tools, And Functional Independence Measure): Literature

“…Dysphagia is a condition where a person has difficulty swallowing both foods that are liquid or solid (1). Dysphagia is a frequent complication in stroke patients, which occurs in 50% of patients with stroke cases (2,3). The damage that occurs after the occurrence of cerebral infarction due to stroke will cause the swallowing process to slow down, muscle coordination becomes worse, and muscle strength weakens (4).…”

“…The damage that occurs after the occurrence of cerebral infarction due to stroke will cause the swallowing process to slow down, muscle coordination becomes worse, and muscle strength weakens (4). Although in some stroke patients the condition of dysphagia will improve spontaneously, in 11-50% of cases of stroke patients still experience dysphagia after six months after hospitalization (3).…”

“…Patients with persistent dysphagia will experience a risk of pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, increased length of stay and even death (3). Patients with dysphagia have an 8.5-fold higher risk of death compared to those with normal swallowing (5).…”