Observation On The Curative Effect Of Auricular Magnetotherapy For Patients With Post-stroke Dysphagia

ObjectiveTo explore the rehabilitation effect of patients with post-stroke dysphagia after auricular magnetotherapy treatment,observe the changes of the patients in swallowing function and life quality,and provide a simple and effective rehabilitation nursing method for patients with post-stroke dysphagia.MethodsSeventy-four patients strictly meeting the diagnosis,inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into auricular magnetotherapy group and control group,with 37 cases for each group.The control group was given routine treatments,including the basic treatment of internal medicine,nursing and swallowing function training.In addition to the routine treatments,the auricular magnetotherapy group was stuck with magnetic beads on auricular points of subcortex,brainstem,throat,mouth,tongue and esophagus for 4 weeks.Every auricular point was pressed for 15 times in one minute using strength within patients'tolerance,4 times a day(after dinner and before sleep).For every 3 days,the treatment was transferred to the other auricle and two ears were tapped alternatively.Before and after the intervention,the swallowing function and life quality changes of the patients were observed by evaluations based on Kubota drinking test,Fujishima Ichiro swallowing evaluation criteria,and swallowing quality of life questionnaire(SWAL-QOL).Results1 Comparison of baseline informationBy comparison before intervention,the patients of the two groups showed no statistical differences in their general information(age,gender,and educational level etc)(P>0.05),clinical characteristics(stroke type,lesion location,and eating way etc.)(P>0.05),and evaluation indexes(dysphagia and life quality)(P>0.05),suggesting the comparability of the baseline information of the two groups.2 The completion condition of the testIn the seventy-four patients with post-stroke dysphagia in the test,69 cases completed the test finally,including 35 cases from the auricular magnetotherapy group and 34 cases from the control group.In the auricular magnetotherapy group,one case suspended the treatment due to sudden disease deterioration and one failed to be followed up after early discharge.In the control group,one case was removed from the test considering the unwillingness of continuing,one suspended the treatment due to sudden disease deterioration,and one failed to be followed up after early discharge.3 Swallowing function3.1 Rating by Kubota drinking testThe intergroup comparison after intervention signified that the auricular magnetotherapy group showed better swallowing function improvement than the control group(P<0.05).Intragroup comparisons before and after intervention suggested that the patients of both groups presented significant swallowing function improvement(P<0.01).3.2 Scoring by Fujishima Ichiro swallowing evaluation criteriaThe intergroup comparison after intervention showed that the auricular magnetotherapy group presented better swallowing function improvement than the control group(P<0.05).Intragroup comparisons before and after intervention suggested both groups saw elevations on Fujishima Ichiro swallowing efficacy evaluation criteria score and significant improvements in swallowing function(P<0.01).4 Clinical efficaciesIntergroup comparison after intervention suggested that the auricular magnetotherapy group showed higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).5 Life qualityIn accordance with intergroup comparison results after intervention,the auricular magnetotherapy group displayed more significant life quality improvement than the control group(P<0.01).In specific,the improvements of the former on eating time,fear,social interaction,sleep,mental health were significantly superior to the latter(P<0.01),the improvements of the former on symptom frequency and language communication were superior to the latter(P<0.05).According to intragroup comparisons before and after intervention,both groups exhibited significant life quality improvements(P<0.01).Except food preference,the patients of the auricular magnetotherapy group showed significant statistical differences on other aspects(P<0.05);the patients of the control group showed significant statistical differences in aspects of appetite,eating time,symptom frequency,language communication,fear,social interaction,sleep and mental health(P<0.05).6 Safety observationAccording to safety observation,no adverse reactions were observed in the patients during the study.Conclusion1.Auricular magnetotherapy can improve the swallowing function of patients with post-stroke dysphagia.2.Auricular magnetotherapy can improve the life quality of patients with post-stroke dysphagia.3.Auricular magnetotherapy is easily-operated,safe,and noninvasive for patients with post-stroke dysphagia and worthy of clinical promotion.