Objective To investigate the effect of swallowing water test in the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods One hundred and twenty?seven cases patients with cerebrovascular disease were randomly divided into two groups:swallow water group and control group,who were guided food program according to the result of swallow water test or experience. The number of two groups to use nasal feeding and the number of cases of the two groups occurred aspiration pneumonia in 3, 6 months were observed. Results The nasal feeding rate of swallow water group was higher than that of control group( 27. 6%( 21/76) vs. 11. 8%( 6/51) ,χ2=4. 590,P=0. 032) . After 3,6 months,the incidence of aspiration pneumonia of control group were higher than that of swallow water group(17. 6%(9/51) vs. 1. 3%(1/76),19. 6%(10/51) vs. 3. 9%(3/76),χ2=9. 080,6. 530,P<0. 05). Conclusion Water?swallowing test is a simple and practical method for assessment risk of aspiration pneumonia of patients with cerebral infarction,which is more effectively to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia than the empiric selection method of nasal feeding.