ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore applications of essential balm K-point stimulation on the swallowing rehabilitation in patients with minimally consciousness state, so as to provide reference for patients rehabilitation.Methods:This was a prospective randomized controlled study. A total of 60 minimally consciousness state patients were enrolled by convenience sampling method from Henan Provincial People Hospital from January to December 2021, who were divided into experimental group and control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Both groups received routine rehabilitation therapy, based on this, the control group was given routine K-point stimulation, the experimental group implemented essential balm K-point stimulation. Before and after 4 weeks of intervention, the Kubota water swallowing test and Coma Recovery Scale-revised (CRS-R) was used for assessment.Results:Before intervention, there was no significant difference in Kubota water swallowing test grade and CRS-R scores between two groups (both P>0.05). After 4-week intervention, Kubota water swallowing test Ⅰ-Ⅴ grade were 1, 6, 13, 7 and 3 cases in the control group, while 4, 12, 8, 3 and 3 cases in the experimental group, the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 2.09, P<0.05); the scores of oral motor/verbal function scale were (2.60 ± 1.16) in the experimental group, higher than in the control group (1.90 ± 0.32), the difference was statistically significant ( t = 2.18, P<0.05). Conclusions:Essential balm K-point stimulation can effectively promote swallowing function of patients with minimally consciousness state, and improve patient′s oral motor function.