The New Stimulating Method in the Speech Therapy Workout System for the Restoration of the Swallowing Function in Severe Brain Injuries

Abstract

Background. The significance of this study becomes more relevant due to the higher incidence and complication of dysphagia in patients with severe brain damage as a result of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other diseases and injuries. Purpose The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the new stimulating method - "passive-active logopedic cryomassage" for restoring impaired swallowing function (dysphagia) in patients with severe brain injury, used in the system of speech therapy measures at the early stage of rehabilitation in the neurointensive care unit. Methods. The study involved 96 patients with dysphagia caused by severe brain damage, who received speech therapy assistance aimed at restoring the impaired swallowing function in a system of early rehabilitation measures carried out in a neurorehabilitation department. The severity of dysphagia was evaluated using an integrative assessment of swallowing function scale. Results. The practice of using the new method developed in combination with thermal and tactile stimulation: "passive-active logopedic cryomassage" indicated its higher efficiency in comparison with the traditionally used methods of speech therapy stimulation. In the course of this study, there were three categories of patients: patients with a rapid positive effect, patients with a delayed effect, and patients with no apparent positive effects. There was an analysis of all possible causes of different therapeutic effects. Conclusion. This new method of combined thermal and tactile stimulation - "passive-active logopedic cryomassage" can be recommended with all its indications and contraindications for widespread use in the clinical practice assisting speech therapists in the restoration of impaired swallowing function in patients with severe brain injury