ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of combined therapy (traditional therapy plus electrical stimulation) and traditional therapy only in three dysphagic stroke patients using a nasogastric tube.Methods : A single-subject, alternating-treatment design with multiple-baseline design across individuals was employed in this study. Each subject alternately participated in daily traditional rehabilitation therapy including tongue exercise, swallowing control, postural control of the head and neck, sensory stimulation, and control of food only viscosity and traditional therapy plus electrical stimulation sessions. The outcomes were measured using MASA (Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability), which were collected during all sessions of the study, and DOSS (Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale), which were performed before and after the treatment phase. 14 session measurements were made during the baseline and treatment phases.Results : The mean scores of the MASA for the two methods were increased in the treatment phase over the baseline. However, there was no difference between the two methods. The score of the DOSS was increased after the treatment phase.Conclusion : The findings suggest that electrical stimulation and traditional rehabilitation therapy are beneficial in improving the swallowing function of stroke patients using a nasogastric tube. The results of this study failed to determine clearly which treatment method was more effective. More case-control studies with greater sample sizes and longer interventions are required in the future in order to determine the clinical benefits of various treatment methods for stroke patients using a nasogastric tube.