ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with regular treatment and swallowing function training on pharyngeal motor, sensory function and penetration-aspiration function in patients with dysphagia after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, 30 patients in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional treatment and swallowing function training; in addition, the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23), Fengfu (GV 16), Yifeng (TE 17). All the treatments were given once a day, 5 days a week, for totally 4 weeks. In the two groups, the pharyngeal motor and sensory function, penetration-aspiration scores were evaluated by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and the Kubota water swallowing test scores were assessed before and after treatment, and the clinical effects were compared.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the pharyngeal motor and sensory function in the two groups were all higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were better than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the penetration-aspiration scores and Kubota water swallowing test scores in the two groups were all lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was better than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with regular treatment and swallowing training could improve the pharyngeal motor and sensory function, and penetration-aspiration scores in patients with dysphagia after stroke.