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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jan;43(1):477-484.
doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05247-6. Epub 2021 May 11.

Clinical study on swallowing function of brainstem stroke by tDCS

Huiwen Mao #  1 , Yi Lyu #  2 , Yan Li  3 , Lin Gan  1 , Jiawei Ni  1 , Liang Liu  1 , Zhengguang Xiao  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical study on swallowing function of brainstem stroke by tDCS

Huiwen Mao et al. Neurol Sci. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with conventional comprehensive rehabilitation on dysphagia after brainstem stroke.

Materials and methods: Forty brainstem stroke patients were randomly divided into tDCS group and conventional comprehensive treatment group, including 20 patients in each group. Both groups were given routine swallowing function training, and tDCS group added transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) and Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) were evaluated respectively before and after 8 weeks of continuous treatment with VFSS. The white blood cell (WBC), c-reactive protein, prealbumin (PAB), albumin (Alb), and hemoglobin (Hb) were also compared between the two groups before and after 8 weeks of continuous treatment.

Results: After 8 consecutive weeks of treatment, the score of DOSS scale and FDS scale in both groups was improved (P < 0.05), WBC and CRP were decreased (P < 0.05), and Alb and Hb were improved (P < 0.05), and PAB had no differences (P=0.474). The tDCS group was superior to conventional comprehensive group in improving the swallowing function and nutritional indexes (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: tDCS therapy combined with routine training can improve the swallowing function and nutritional status of patients, and reduce infection.

Keywords: Brainstem stroke; Dysphagia; Infection; Nutrition; Transcranial direct current stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Enrollment flow chart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The tDCS group cooperated with tDCS training on the basis of routine training. a Iced cotton swab stimulates the buccal and pharyngeal. b Tongue muscle extension. c Breathing training. d Pharyngeal electrical stimulation. e Swallowing balloon expansion treatment. f tDCS training
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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