OBJECTIVETo observe the improvement in post-stroke dysphagia after treatment of nape acupuncture and rehabilitation training.

METHODSEighty patients who were in compliance with the inclusive criteria were randomized into a conventional treatment group and a nape acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one, according to the admission sequence. In the conventional treatment group, on the basis of general medication, the rehabilitation training of swallowing function was applied. In the nape acupuncture group, on the basic treatment as the conventional treatment group, nape acupuncture group was given.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the improvements in bedside water swallowing test, SSA, VFSS and pharynx transit time were all superior to those before treatment for the patients in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The improvements in bedside water swallowing test, SSA, VFSS and pharynx transit time in the nape acupuncture group were all superior to those in the conventional treatment group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 85.0% (34/40) in the nape acupuncture group, which was higher than 65.0% (26/40) in the conventional treatment group, indicating the significantly statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNape acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training significantly improves swallowing function of the patients after stroke.