Application Effect of Early Rehabilitation Nursing in Elderly Cerebral Infarction Patients with Dysphagia

Objective:To observe the application effect of early rehabilitation nursing in elderly cerebral infarction patients with dysphagia.Methods:120 cases of elderly cerebral infarction patients with dysphagia were divided into 60 cases in the control group and 60 cases in the observation group by the double-blind method,and conventional nursing and early rehabilitation nursing were implemented respectively.Swallowing function,quality of life,adverse events,and nursing satisfaction were compared before and after nursing care.Results:After nursing,the swallowing function score of the observation group(1.01±0.18 points)was lower than that of the control group,and the quality of life score(160.63±9.95 points)was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);the incidence rates of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia in the observation group(5.00%and 3.33%)were lower than that of the control group(P<0.05);the total nursing satisfaction of the observation group(98.33%)was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Early rehabilitation nursing can reduce the degree of dysphagia in elderly patients with cerebral infarction,reduce the incidents of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia,and improve the quality of life,with high nursing satisfaction.

Development and validation of a predictive model for patients with post-extubation dysphagia

BACKGROUND:Swallowing disorder is a common clinical symptom that can lead to a series of complications,including aspiration,aspiration pneumonia,and malnutrition.This study aimed to investigate risk factors of post-extubation dysphagia(PED)in intensive care unit(ICU)patients with endotracheal intubation,and to develop a risk-predictive model for PED,which could serve as an assessment tool for the prevention and control of PED.METHODS:Patients retrospectively selected from June to December 2021 in a tertiary hospital served as the derivation cohort.Patients recruited from the same hospital from March to June 2022served as the external validation cohort for the predictive model.We used a combination of variable screening and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression to select the most useful candidate predictors and checked the multicollinearity of independent variables using the variance inflation factor method.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratio(OR;95%confidence interval[95%CI])and P-value for each variable to predict diagnosis.The screened risk factors were introduced into R software to build a nomogram model.The performance of the model,including discrimination ability,calibration,and clinical benefit,was evaluated by plotting the receiver operating characteristic(ROC),calibration,and decision curves.RESULTS:A total of 305 patients were included in this study.Among them,235 patients(53PED vs.182 non-PED)were enrolled in the derivation cohort,while 70 patients(17 PED vs.53 nonPED)were enrolled in the validation cohort.The independent predictors included age,pause of sedatives,level of consciousness,activities of daily living(ADL)score,nasogastric tube,sore throat,and voice disorder.These predictors were used to establish the predictive nomogram model.The model demonstrated good discriminative ability,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.945(95%CI 0.904-0.970).Applying the predictive model to the validation cohort demonstrated good discrimination with an AUC of 0.907(95%CI 0.831-0.983)and good calibration.The decision-curve analysis of this nomogram showed a net benefit of the model.CONCLUSION:A predictive model that incorporates age,pause of sedatives,level of consciousness,ADL score,nasogastric tube,sore throat,and voice disorder may have the potential to predict PED in ICU patients.

Presbyphagia:Dysphagia in the elderly

Dysphagia has been classified as a“geriatric syndrome”and can lead to serious complications that result in a tremendous burden on population health and healthcare resources worldwide.A characteristic age-related change in swa-llowing is defined as“presbyphagia.”Medical imaging has shown some changes that seriously affect the safety and efficacy of swallowing.However,there is a general lack of awareness of the effects of aging on swallowing function and a belief that these changes are part of normal aging.Our review provides an overview of presbyphagia,which has been a neglected health problem for a long time.Attention and awareness of dysphagia in the elderly population should be strengthened,and targeted intervention measures should be actively imple-mented.

Research Progress of Swallowing Therapy in Relieving Dysphagia after Stroke

This article summarizes the current rehabilitation treatment methods for dysphagia after stroke,including feeding-swallowing function treatment,acupuncture treatment,neuromuscular electrical stimulation,balloon catheter dilatation,etc.,all of which have many clinical applications,hoping to play a guiding role in future research.

Dysphagia and daily oral fluids among cerebrovascular stroke patients:an theory-based nursing intervention protocol

Objective:To evaluate the improvement of dysphagia and the daily amounts of oral fluids served among people who had recently experienced a cerebrovascular stroke(CVS)after applying a nursing intervention protocol.Methods:A quasi-experimental design was used to examine 60 stroke patients who were randomly and alternatively divided equally into a study group and a control group.Gugging Swallowing Screen(GUSS)and fluid balance chart were used.Within the first 24 h of a patient’s admission,expert nurses were trained in nursing intervention protocol to manage dysphagia and daily oral fluids.Results:Post-nursing intervention,the severity of dysphagia decreased among the study group more than in the control group.Additionally,the study group began taking greater amounts of fluids by the oral route than before the nursing intervention.Conclusions:A standardized nursing intervention protocol is needed to decrease the severity of dysphagia after CVS and increase the amount of daily oral fluids.The presence of a structured theory-based nursing intervention protocol for dysphagia management will greatly contribute to decreasing the consequences of dysphagia after CVS,and can also be expected to attenuate the effects of aspiration pneumonia,dehydration,and malnutrition;further,it also increases adherence to the protocol by both nurses and patients.

Transmitted cardiovascular pulsations on high resolution esophageal impedance manometry, and their significance in dysphagia

AIM To investigate the behavior of pulsatile pressure zones(PPZ's) as noted on high resolution esophageal impedance manometry(HREIM), and determine their association with dysphagia.METHODS Retrospective, single center case control design scr-eening HREIM studies for cases(dysphagia) and controls(no dysphagia). Thoracic radiology studies were reviewed further in cases for(thoracic cardiovascular) thoracic cardiovascular(TCV) structures in esophageal proximity to compare with HREIM findings. Manometric data was collected for number, location, axial length, PPZ pressure and esophageal clearance function(impedance). RESULTS Among 317 screened patients, 56% cases and 64% controls had PPZ's. Fifty cases had an available thoracic radiology comparison. The distribution of PPZ's in these 50 cases and 59 controls was similar(average 1.4 PPZ/patient). Controls(mean 31.2 ± SD 12 years) were a significantly younger population than cases(mean 67.3 ± SD 14.9 years) with P < 0.0001. The upright posture PPZ pressure was higher in controls(15.7 ± 10.0 mm Hg) than cases(10.8 ± 9.7 mm Hg). Although statistically significant(P = 0.005), it was a weak predictor using logistic regression and ROC model(AUC = 0.65). Three dysphagia patients had partial compression from external TCV on radiology(1 aberrant subclavian artery, 2 dilated left atrium). The posture(supine vs upright) with more prominent PPZ's impaired bolus clearance in 9 additional cases by > 20%. CONCLUSION Transmitted TCV pulsations observed in HREIM bear no significant impact on swallowing. However, in older adults with dysphagia, evidence of impaired bolus clearance on impedance should be evaluated for external TCV compression. These associations have never been explored previously in literature, and are novel.

CLINICAL RESEARCH ON TREATMENT OF DYSPHAGIA WITH NECK ACUPUNCTURE

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effects on dysphagia induced by pseudobulbar palsy chiefly treated with neck acupuncture and probe into the mechanism on the effects. Methods The 86 cases that had been diagnosed definitely were randomized into two groups, the treatment group and control group. The treatment group （acupuncture＋western medication） （44 cases） was treated with acupuncture on Fēngfǔ（风府 GV16）, Fēngchí （风池GB20）, Gòngxě（供血 Extra）, Yīmíng （翳明 EX-HN14）, Zhìqiāng （治呛 Extra）, Tūnyàn （吞咽 Extra）, Fāyīn （发音 Extra）, Liánquán （廉泉CV23）, etc., and the intravenous injection with Shuxuetong （疏血通） 6- 10 mL and 0.9%, NaCl 250 mL. The control group （western medication） （42 cases） was treated with the intravenous injection with Shuxuetong （疏血通） 6- 10 mL and 0.9%, NaCl 250 mL. Results The total effective rate was 97.73 % and 80.95 % in the treatment group and control group respectively, indicating very significant difference （P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion The therapeutic effects mainly with neck acupuncture are better on dysphagia induced by psudalbulbar palsy, which is superior to that with simple western medication and worth to be promoted. Concerning to the mechanism on the therapeutic results, it is viewed that acupuncture on neck points improves the excitability of cerebral neurocytes, resuscitates the reversible neurocytes or awakens the inhibited neurocytes.

Sideropenic Dysphagia综合征膜性蹼26例分析

目的 :研究SideropenicDysphagla (S -D)综合征膜性蹼产生的机制。方法 :回顾分析S -D综合征2 6例的临床资料。结果 :影像学检查显示膜性蹼在颈段食道前壁呈 2mm深的模样陷凹。血液学检查为缺铁性低血红蛋白性贫血改变。结论 :缺铁性贫血是S -D综合征的原因 。

Mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis presenting as an esophageal intramural tumor: A very rare but important cause for dysphagia

Dysphagia associated with esophageal mechanical obstruction is usually related to malignant esophageal diseases. Benign lesions are rarely a cause for this type of dysphagia, and usually occur either as an intramural tumor or as an extrinsic compression. Mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis is rare in adults, and even more rarely causes dysphagia. We report two cases of dysphagia in adult patients caused by mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis, presenting radiologicaUy and endoscopically as an esophageal submucosal tumor. Based on the clinical and imaging diagnosis, the patients underwent a right thoracotomy, and excision of the mass attached to and compressing the esophagus. Pathological examination of the specimens showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis, which was consistent with tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture therapy improves dysphagia after brainstem stroke

Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture therapy has been shown to effectively treat dysphagia after stroke-based pseudobulbar paralysis. We presumed that this therapy would be effective for dysphagia after bulbar paralysis in patients with brainstem infarction. Sixty-four patients with dysphagia following brainstem infarction were recruited and divided into a medulla oblongata infarction group（n = 22）, a midbrain and pons infarction group（n = 16）, and a multiple cerebral infarction group（n = 26） according to their magnetic resonance imaging results. All patients received Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture for 28 days. The main acupoints were Neiguan（PC6）, Renzhong（DU26）, Sanyinjiao（SP6）, Fengchi（GB20）, Wangu（GB12）, and Yifeng（SJ17）. Furthermore, the posterior pharyngeal wall was pricked. Before and after treatment, patient swallowing functions were evaluated with the Kubota Water Test, Fujishima Ichiro Rating Scale, and the Standard Swallowing Assessment. The Barthel Index was also used to evaluate their quality of life. Results showed that after 28 days of treatment, scores on the Kubota Water Test and Standard Swallowing Assessment had decreased, but scores on the Fujishima Ichiro Rating Scale and Barthel Index had increased in each group. The total efficacy rate was 92.2% after treatment, and was most obvious in patients with medulla oblongata infarction（95.9%）. These findings suggest that Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture therapy can repair the connection of upper motor neurons to the medulla oblongata motor nucleus, promote the recovery of brainstem infarction, and improve patient＇s swallowing ability and quality of life.

Dysphagia in patients with isolated pontine infarction

Little is known about dysphagia after pontine infarction. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of dysphagia after isolated pontine infarction and identified the predictive factors for the occurrence of dysphagia. A total of 146 patients were included in this study. All patients underwent clinical testing for dysphagia within 1 day after admission and at the time of discharge. We compared the incidence of dysphagia between patients with unilateral pontine infarction and those with bilateral pontine infarction. To evaluate the functional status of patients, we investigated their initial modified Rankin Scale（mRS） score and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale（NIHSS） score within 1 day of admission. Of 146 patients, 50（34.2%） had dysphagia initially within 1 day after admission. At the second evaluation at the time of discharge, dysphagia was diagnosed in 24 patients（16.4%）. Patients with bilateral pontine infarction were more likely to present with dysphagia. In addition, clinical severity（in terms of mRS and NIHSS scores） was identified as a predictor of dysphagia in patients with cerebral infarction（multiple binary logistic regression analysis, mRS： P = 0.011, NIHSS： P = 0.004）. Dysphagia frequently occurs in patients with isolated pontine infarction. Clinicians should pay particular attention to the occurrence of dysphagia, especially in patients with bilateral pontine infarction or high functional disability.

Treatment of Post-stroke Dysphagia by VitalStim Therapy Coupled with Conventional Swallowing Training

To investigate the effects of VitalStim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training on recovery of post-stroke dysphagia,a total of 120 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly and evenly divided into three groups：conventional swallowing therapy group,VitalStim therapy group,and VitalStim therapy plus conventional swallowing therapy group.Prior to and after the treatment,signals of surface electromyography（sEMG） of swallowing muscles were detected,swallowing function was evaluated by using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment（SSA） and Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study（VFSS） tests,and swallowing-related quality of life（SWAL-QOL） was evaluated using the SWAL-QOL questionnaire.There were significant differences in sEMG value,SSA,VFSS,and SWAL-QOL scores in each group between prior to and after treatment.After 4-week treatment,sEMG value,SSA,VFSS and SWAL-QOL scores were significantly greater in the VitalStim therapy plus conventional swallowing training group than in the conventional swallowing training group and VitalStim therapy group,but no significant difference existed between conventional swallowing therapy group and VitalStim therapy group.It was concluded that VitalStim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training was conducive to recovery of post-stroke dysphagia.

Compensatory recombination phenomena of neurological functions in central dysphagia patients

We speculate that cortical reactions evoked by swallowing activity may be abnormal in patients with central infarction with dysphagia. The present study aimed to detect functional imaging features of cerebral cortex in central dysphagia patients by using blood oxygen level-depen- dent functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The results showed that when normal controls swallowed, primary motor cortex （BA4）, insula （BA13）, premotor cortex （BA6/8）, supramarginal gyrus （BA40）, and anterior cingulate cortex （BA24/32） were activated, and that the size of the activated areas were larger in the left hemisphere compared with the right. In re- current cerebral infarction patients with central dysphagia, BA4, BA13, BA40 aild BA6/8 areas were activated, while the degree of activation in BA24/32 was decreased. Additionally, more areas were activated, including posterior cingulate cortex （BA23/31）, visual association cortex （BA18/19）, primary auditory cortex （BA41） and parahippocampal cortex （BA36）. Somatosen- sory association cortex （BA7） and left cerebellum in patients with recurrent cerebral infarction with central dysphagia were also activated. Experimental findings suggest that the cerebral cortex has obvious hemisphere lateralization in response to swallowing, and patients with recurrent cerebral infarction with central dysphagia show compensatory recombination phenomena of neurological functions. In rehabilitative treatment, using the favorite food of patients can stimu- late swallowing through visual, auditory, and other nerve conduction pathways, thus promoting compensatory recombination of the central cortex functions.

Increased activation of the caudate nucleus and parahippocampal gyrus in Parkinson's disease patients with dysphagia after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation:a case-control study

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(r TMS)has been shown to effectively improve impaired swallowing in Parkinson's disease(PD)patients with dysphagia.However,little is known about how r TMS affects the corresponding brain regions in this patient group.In this casecontrol study,we examined data from 38 PD patients with dysphagia who received treatment at Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Academy,Capital Medical University.The patients received high-frequency r TMS of the motor cortex once per day for 10 successive days.Changes in brain activation were compared via functional magnetic resonance imaging in PD patients with dysphagia and healthy controls.The results revealed that before treatment,PD patients with dysphagia showed greater activation in the precentral gyrus,supplementary motor area,and cerebellum compared with healthy controls,and this enhanced activation was weakened after treatment.Furthermore,before treatment,PD patients with dysphagia exhibited decreased activation in the parahippocampal gyrus,caudate nucleus,and left thalamus compared with healthy controls,and this activation increased after treatment.In addition,PD patients with dysphagia reported improved subjective swallowing sensations after r TMS.These findings suggest that swallowing function in PD patients with dysphagia improved after r TMS of the motor cortex.This may have been due to enhanced activation of the caudate nucleus and parahippocampal gyrus.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital of Capital Medical University(approval No.2018 bkky017)on March 6,2018 and was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration No.Chi CTR 1800017207)on July 18,2018.

A case of hemangiopericytoma of the soft palate with articulate disorder and dysphagia

We report a case of hemangiopericytoma of the soft palate of 60-year-old patient, who noticed a mass of the soft palate and experienced difficulty in speaking. We found a pediculate, hard, elastic mass measuring 38 mm （cross-sectional diameter）. Computed tomography （CT） scans and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） confirmed irregularly shaped mass and revealed a heterogeneous internal composition, consistent with vascular tumors. We excised the tumor under general anesthesia. Histopathological diagnosis was based on positive immunoreactivity of CD99 and vimentin and weak, positive staining of CD34. Three and half years following tumor excision, there is no recurrence or metastasis.

Rheological aspects of dysphagia-oriented food products:A mini review

Dysphagia is a symptom,commonly found in healthcare residents and the elderly,may lead to undernutrition and negative effects on quality of life.Providing special food products that cannot only be swallowed by patients but also meet nutritional requirements is a challenge for food rheologists and healthcare staff.The purpose of this paper was to review the literature on rheological aspects of dysphagia-oriented products.Also,some suggestions were proposed for better exploitation of rheological data in the field of dysphagia-rheology.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Investigation of compensatory postures with videofluoromanometry in dysphagia patients

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of head compensatory postures to ensure safe oropharyngeal transit. METHODS: A total of 321 dysphagia patients were enrolled and assessed with videofluoromanometry (VFM). The dysphagia patients were classified as follows: safe transit; penetration without aspiration; aspiration before, during or after swallowing; multiple aspirations and no transit. The patients with aspiration or no transit were tested with VFM to determine whether compensatory postures could correct their swallowing disorder. RESULTS: VFM revealed penetration without aspiration in 71 patients (22.1%); aspiration before swallowing in 17 patients (5.3%); aspiration during swallowing in 32 patients (10%); aspiration after swallowing in 21 patients (6.5%); multiple aspirations in six patients (1.9%); no transit in five patients (1.6%); and safe transit in 169 patients (52.6%). Compensatory postures guaranteed a safe transit in 66/75 (88%) patients with aspiration or no transit. A chin-down posture achieved a safe swallow in 42/75 (56%) patients, a head-turned posture in 19/75 (25.3%) and a hyperextended head posture in 5/75 (6.7%). The compensatory postures were not effective in 9/75 (12%) cases. CONCLUSION: VFM allows the speech-language therapist to choose the most effective compensatory posture without a trial-and-error process and check the effectiveness of the posture.

Dysphagia after vertical sleeve gastrectomy: Evaluation of risk factors and assessment of endoscopic intervention

AIM To evaluate the risks of medical conditions, evaluate gastric sleeve narrowing, and assess hydrostatic balloon dilatation to treat dysphagia after vertical sleeve gastrectomy(VSG).METHODS VSG is being performed more frequently worldwide as a treatment for medically-complicated obesity, and dysphagia is common post-operatively. We hypothesize that post-operative dysphagia is related to underlying medical conditions or narrowing of the gastric sleeve. This is a retrospective, single institution study of consecutive patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy from 2013 to 2015. Patients with previous bariatric procedures were excluded. Narrowing of a gastric sleeve includes: inability to pass a 9.6 mm gastroscope due to stenosis or sharp angulation or spiral hindering its passage.RESULTS Of 400 consecutive patients, 352 are included; the prevalence of dysphagia is 22.7%; 33 patients(9.3%) have narrowing of the sleeve with 25(7.1%) having sharp angulation or a spiral while 8(2.3%) have a stenosis. All 33 patients underwent balloon dilatation of the gastric sleeve and dysphagia resolved in 13 patients(39%); 10 patients(30%) noted resolution of dysphagia after two additional dilatations. In a multivariate model, medical conditions associated with post-operative dysphagia include diabetes mellitus, symptoms of esophageal reflux, a low whole blood thiamine level, hypothyroidism, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and use of opioids.CONCLUSION Narrowing of the gastric sleeve and gastric sleeve stenosis are common after VSG. Endoscopic balloon dilatations of the gastric sleeve resolves dysphagia in 69% of patients.

Surface electromyography for diagnosing dysphagia in patients with cerebral palsy

AIM: To determine the accuracy of 2-channel surface electromyography(sE MG) for diagnosing oropharyngeal dysphagia(OPD) in patients with cerebral palsy.METHODS: Participants with cerebral palsy and OPD between 5 and 30 years of age and age- and sexmatched healthy individuals received s EMG testing during swallowing. Electrodes were placed over the submental and infrahyoid muscles, and s EMG recordings were made during stepwise(starting at 3 mL) determination of maximum swallowing volume. Outcome measures included submental muscle group maximum amplitude, infrahyoid muscle group maximum amplitude(IMGMA), time lag between the peak amplitudes of 2 muscle groups, and amplitude difference between the 2 muscle groups.RESULTS: A total of 20 participants with cerebral palsy and OPD(OPD group) and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers(control group) were recruited. Among 20 patients with OPD, 19 had Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale records. Of them, 8 were classified as severe dysphagia(level 1), 1 was moderate dysphagia(level 3), 4 were mild to moderate dysphagia(level 4), 3 were mild dysphagia(level 5), and 3 were within functional limits(level 6). Although the groups were matched for age and sex, participants in the OPD group were significantly shorter, weighed less and had lower body mass index than their counterparts in the control group(both, P < 0.001). All s EMG parameter values were significantly higher in the OPD group compared with the control group(P < 0.05). Differences were most pronounced at the 3 mL swallowing volume. IMGMA at the 3 mL volume was the best predictor of OPD with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 85.0%, 90.0%, 73.9%, 94.7% and 88.8%, respectively.

Rare case of dysphagia, skin blistering, missing nails in a young boy

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of genetic disorders with an autosomal dominant or an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance and more than 300 mutations. The disorder is characterized by blistering mucocutaneous lesions and has several varying phenotypes due toanchoring defect between the epidermis and dermis. The variation in phenotypic expression depends on the involved structural protein that mediates cell adherence between different layers of the skin. Epidermolysis bullosa can also involve extra-cutaneous sites including eye, nose, ear, upper airway, genitourinary tract and gastrointestinal tract. The most prominent feature of the gastrointestinal tract involvement is development of esophageal stricture. The stricture results from recurrent esophageal mucosal blistering with consequent scarring and most commonly involves the upper esophagus. Here we present a case of a young boy with dominant subtype of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa who presented with dysphagia, extensive skin blistering and missing nails. Management of an esophageal stricture eventually requires dilatation of the stricture or placement of a gastrostomy tube to keep up with the nutritional requirements. Gastrostomy tube also provides access for esophageal stricture dilatation in cases where antegrade approach through the mouth has failed.