Effectiveness of Visual Biofeedback-Assisted Oropharyngeal Exercises Combined With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Post-stroke dysphagia is a common complication that negatively affects nutritional status, quality of life, and morbidity. Conventional swallowing rehabilitation, including oropharyngeal exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), is widely used to improve swallowing function. This randomized controlled clinical study aims to investigate the effectiveness of visual biofeedback-assisted oropharyngeal exercises combined with NMES in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a visual biofeedback-assisted exercise group or a conventional exercise group, with both groups receiving NMES. Treatment will be administered five days per week for four weeks. Changes in swallowing function, suprahyoid muscle activity assessed by surface electromyography, and muscle stiffness evaluated by shear wave elastography will be analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Clinical diagnosis of dysphagia, defined by at least one of the following: presence of cough or throat clearing during the 90 mL water swallow test, reduced laryngeal elevation on clinical examination, or at least one symptom related to dysphagia
• Ability to initiate reflex swallowing
• History of cerebrovascular event within the previous 6 months
• Stable vital signs
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent