Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with swallowing rehabilitation training on the treatment efficacy and life quality of stroke patients with dysphagia.

Purpose: To explore the therapeutic efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with swallowing rehabilitation training on the healing effect and quality of life of stroke patients with dysphagia.

Methods: The clinical data of 63 stroke patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2019 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The included patients were divided into two groups according to different treatment plans: an observation group (n=33) treated with NMES combined with swallowing rehabilitation training, and a control group (n=30) treated by swallowing rehabilitation training alone. Before and after 2 courses of treatment, the Water swallow test, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) were used to assess the swallowing function of patients in the two groups, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate patients' neurological deficit; the SA7550 surface electromyogram (EMG) analysis system was applied to collect surface EMG, and the F113-5 medical X-ray TV system was used to detect the mobility of the hyoid-throat complex; the negative emotions of patients were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) before and after treatment, and the quality of life was evaluated by the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire; and the occurrence of adverse reactions during treatment was recorded and compared between the two groups.

Results: There was no significant difference in swallowing function, duration of swallowing, maximum amplitude value, and hyoid-throat complex mobility between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05), nor were there any differences in the scores of FOIS, MDADI, NIHSS, HAMD, and SWAL-QOL before treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, however, the above indicators of both groups were significantly improved (P<0.05), and the improvements were more significant in the observation group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions in both groups were relatively low without significant difference between groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion: NMES combined with swallowing rehabilitation training is effective in the treatment of swallowing dysfunction following stroke. It can effectively improve patients' swallowing function and quality of life, and relieve their negative emotions, with a high safety profile, which is worthy of clinical promotion.