Effect of Breathing Exercises in Combination with Swallowing-Five-Acupoint Acupuncture on Dysphagia after Stroke

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the effect of breathing exercises in combination with swallowing-five-acupoint acupuncture on post-stroke dysphagia. Methods: Fifty post-stroke dysphagia patients who attended our hospital and received the combined treatment of breathing exercises with swallowing-five-acupoint acupuncture, from June 2020 to February 2023, were included as the combination group. During the same time, 50 post-stroke dysphagia patients, who were treated with swallowing-five-acupoint acupuncture were selected as the control group. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after 4 weeks of treatment, then the data of water swallow test (WST) grading, respiratory function indicator levels, and swallowing function scores were collected from the two groups. Results: The total clinical effective rate was higher in the combination group than in the control group (p < 0.05). After treatment, the WST grading, swallowing function scores and breathing frequency (BF) level in the two groups were reduced compared to that before treatment (p < 0.05), and these indicators in the combination group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). After treatment, forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) levels in the two groups were increased compared to those before treatment (p < 0.05), and FVC and MVV levels in the combination group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of breathing exercises with swallowing-five-acupoint acupuncture exerts a good therapeutic effect on post-stroke dysphagia, which not only alleviates the symptoms of dysphagia in patients but improves their respiration function.