OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electromyography (EMG) guided point injection at Renying (ST 9) for post-stroke dysphagia caused by bulbar paralysis, and explore effective treatments for improving swallowing function on the basis of conventional medicine and rehabilitation training.

METHODSA total of 60 patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional drugs combined with rehabilitation training were given in the control group, the treatment was given once every day. Based on the treatment in the control group, the EMG guided point injection at Renying (ST 9) was added in the observation group, three times a week. All the treatment was given for 2 weeks. drinking test score and Toshima Ichiro swallow test score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups, and the effects were assessed.

RESULTSToshima Ichiro swallow test score increased after treatment in both groups compared with that before treatment, and drinking test score decreased compared with that before treatment (all <0.05), and the change rate in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (both <0.05). The total effective rate of swallowing efficacy in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), and the cured rate was 46.7% (14/30), which were better than 26.7% (8/30) and 3.3% (1/30) in the control group (both <0.05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of conventional drugs and rehabilitation training, the EMG guided point injection at Renying (ST 9) can effectively increase the swallowing function of patients with post-stroke dysphagia caused by bulbar paralysis .