Article

Tongue pressure strength and accuracy training (TPSAT) has been proposed as an
intervention to improve dysphagia. However, the effects of TPSAT on dysphagia in
subacute stroke patients remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate
the effects of TPSAT on tongue pressure strength, swallowing function, and
quality of life in subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. Sixteen subacute
stroke patients were assigned randomly to two groups: the TPSAT group (n=8) or
the control group (n=8). In the former, both TPSAT and traditional dysphagia
therapies were performed for 30 min each per day; in the latter, only traditional
dysphagia therapy was performed for 30 min twice a day. Both groups performed
each daily intervention five times per week for 8 weeks. To assess the tongue
pressure strength, maximum isometric tongue pressures (MIPs) of the anterior and
posterior tongue using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument were measured before
and after the intervention. Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) and
Swallowing-Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) were also used to assess the swallowing
function and quality of life, respectively. TPSAT with traditional dysphagia
therapy significantly improved MASA, SWAL-QOL, and MIPs both anteriorly and
posteriorly, and traditional dysphagia therapy significantly increased MASA,
SWAL-QOL, and MIPs anteriorly (P<0.05). The TPSAT group showed a significant
improvement in anterior and posterior MIPs and tongue movement score in MASA
compared with the control group (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that TPSAT may
significantly improve dysphagia management in subacute stroke patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS