Objective To observe the effect of respiratory training on post-stroke dysphagia.Methods Forty-two stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,each of 21.Both groups were given routine swallowing training,while the observation group was additionally provided with respiratory training once a day for 4 weeks.Before and after the treatment,the Kubota drinking water test (KDWT) was administered and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed to assess swallowing function.Forced vital capacity (FVC),forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were also measured to assess the subjects' pulmonary function.Results After the treatment,the average KDWT and VFSS scores were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group.The effectiveness rate of the observation group (85.71％) was significantly higher than that of the control group (61.90％).After the intervention,the average FVC [(3.57-±0.48)L],FEV1[(2.83±0.49) L/s] and PEF [(5.36±1.04) L/s] of the observation group were significantly better than those before the treatment and those of the control group after the treatment.Conclusion Swallowing training supported by respiratory training is superior to swallowing training alone for improving the swallowing (and pulmonary) function of post-stroke dysphagia patients.Such combined treatment is worthy of application in clinical practice.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy in rehabilitating the upper limb function of stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors with upper limb dysfunction were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 25. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation treatment including proper positioning of the affected limb, physical therapy and motor function training. The observation group also received progressive resistance training of the inspiratory muscles and respiration control training combined with occupational therapy twice daily for 4 weeks. The trunk control test (TCT), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for the Hemiplegic Upper Limb and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess the core stability, balance, upper limb functioning, upper limb muscle tension and ability in the activities of daily living of all of the subjects.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences in any of the indexes between the two groups. Afterward the average TCT, BBS, FMA-UE, ARAT, MAS and MBI scores of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were all significantly greater in the observation group.Conclusions:Combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy can further improve the function of the upper limbs and daily living ability beyond what is observed with traditional rehabilitation therapy after a stroke.