Application value research of swallowing treatment device combined with swallowing rehabilitation training in the treatment of swallowing disorders after stroke.

Background: Stroke is a common disabling disease, whether it is ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke, both can result in neuronal damage, leading to various manifestations of neurological dysfunction.

Aim: To explore of the application value of swallowing treatment device combined with swallowing rehabilitation training in the treatment of swallowing disorders after stroke.

Methods: This study selected 86 patients with swallowing disorders after stroke admitted to our rehabilitation department from February 2022 to December 2023 as research subjects. They were divided into a control group ( = 43) and an observation group ( = 43) according to the treatment. The control group received swallowing rehabilitation training, while the observation group received swallowing treatment device in addition to the training. Both groups underwent continuous intervention for two courses of treatment.

Results: The total effective rate in the observation group (93.02%) was higher than that in the control group (76.74%) ( = 0.035). After intervention, the oral transit time, swallowing response time, pharyngeal transit time, and laryngeal closure time decreased in both groups compared to before intervention. In the observation group, the oral transit time, swallowing response time, and pharyngeal transit time were shorter than those in the control group after intervention. However, the laryngeal closure time after intervention in the observation group was compared with that in the control group ( = 0.142). After intervention, average amplitude value and duration of the genioglossus muscle group during empty swallowing and swallowing 5 mL of water are reduced compared to before intervention in both groups. After intervention, the scores of the chin-tuck swallowing exercise and the Standardized Swallowing Assessment are both reduced compared to pre-intervention levels in both groups. However, the observation group scores lower than the control group after intervention. Additionally, the Functional Oral Intake Scale scores of both groups are increased after intervention compared to pre-intervention levels, with the observation group scoring higher than the control group after intervention ( < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of complications in the observation group is 9.30%, which is lower than the 27.91% in the control group ( = 0.027).

Conclusion: The combination of swallowing therapy equipment with swallowing rehabilitation training can improve the muscle movement level of the genioglossus muscle group, enhance swallowing function, and prevent the occurrence of swallowing-related complications after stroke.