Objective

2

To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular electroacupuncture for post-stroke dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase.

Methods

2

Eighty-two patients with post-stroke dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase were randomized into an auricular electroacupuncture group (41 cases) and a swallowing electrical stimulation group (41 cases

1 case dropped out). In the auricular electroacupuncture group

electroacupuncture was applied at auricular points

i.e. Xin (CO

15

) and Yanhou (TG

3

)

using disperse-dense wave

in frequency of 2 Hz/10 Hz

30 min a time. In the swallowing electrical stimulation group

swallowing electrical stimulation was delivered for 30 min a time. Both groups were treated once daily for 4 weeks. The functional oral intake scale (FOIS) grade

as well as the hyolaryngeal complex displacement

the pharyngeal constriction rate (PCR) and the pharyngeal delay time (PDT) under video fluoroscopic study of swallowing (VFSS) were observed before and after treatment

and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.

Results

2

Compared before treatment

the FOIS grade was improved (

P

<

0.01)

the forward and upward displacement amplitude of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage was increased (

P

<

0.05)

and the PCR and PDT were decreased (

P

<

0.05) after treatment in the two groups. After treatment

compared with the swallowing electrical stimulation group

the FOIS grade was superior (

P

<

0.01)

the upward displacement amplitude of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage was larger (

P

<

0.05) and the PCR and PDT were lower (

P

<

0.05) in the auricular electroacupuncture gr

oup. The total effective rate was 85.4% (35/41) in the auricular electroacupuncture group

which was higher than 62.5% (25/40) in the swallowing electrical stimulation group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Auricular electroacupuncture can effectively trigger pharyngeal initiation and improve post-stroke dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase.