This is a randomized controlled study, including dysphagic patients with bulbar palsy after ischemic stroke who were received in the department of rehabilitation medicine in 3 hospitals in China. All patients are randomly allocated to the observation group or the control group. Both groups are provided with comprehensive rehabilitation. Besides, the observation group additionally undergoes the stellate ganglion block. At admission and after 20-day treatment, video fluoroscopic swallowing study, and penetration-aspiration scale, Functional Oral Intake Scale, Flexible laryngoscope are used to assess swallowing function.
Palliation of dysphagia in patients with bulbar palsy after ischemic stroke continues to be a challenge.This is a randomized controlled study, including dysphagic patients with bulbar palsy after ischemic stroke who were received in the department of rehabilitation medicine in 3 hospitals in China. All patients are randomly allocated to the observation group or the control group. Both groups are provided with comprehensive rehabilitation. Besides, the observation group additionally undergoes the stellate ganglion block. At admission and after 20-day treatment, video fluoroscopic swallowing study, and penetration-aspiration scale, Functional Oral Intake Scale, Flexible laryngoscope are used to assess swallowing function.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
All the participants are provided with the comprehensive rehabilitation (routine rehabilitation and swallowing function training). The routine rehabilitation included intervention for risk factors (blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, smoking and alcohol restriction, exercise, etc.). Regrading swallowing function training, both groups are given swallowing function training, including 1) exercises of closure of the vocal folds, pharyngeal, and laryngeal muscles exercises, and respiratory muscle strength training, for 15 min each time and twice per day. 2) isotonic／isometric swallowing exercises, supraglottic swallowing exercises, for 20 min each time and twice per day. 3) effortful swallowing exercises, and cough reflex training, for 10 min each time and twice per day.
the patients in the observation group were provided with Stellate ganglion block, using 1.5ml of 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride (1ml: 0.5mg) and 500ug of Vitamin B12 (1ml: 0.5g). The percutaneous approach via the paratracheal route was used for Stellate ganglion block. The operator stood on the side of the block, instructed the patient to lie supine with a thin pillow placed below the shoulders, and tilted the head 45° towards the blocked side, fully exposing the neck. Then, routine disinfection of the neck skin was performed. The puncture site was located 2.5 cm above the sternoclavicular joint and 1.5 cm lateral to the midline of the neck.
Zheng Da First Hospital
Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Penetration-Aspiration Scale
On the day 1 and day 20, Penetration-Aspiration Scale was used to assess dysphagia under Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study, primarily evaluating the extent to which fluid food entered the airway and caused penetration or aspiration during the swallowing process. As the level increased, the severity of dysphagia also increased.
Time frame: day 1 and day 20
Functional Oral Intake Scale
During Dysphagia-Functional Oral Intake Scale assessment, evaluators engage in communication with the patient, conduct observations, and make records to assess the patient's oral intake ability. The Functional Oral Intake Scale assessment form includes seven levels of scoring, ranging from level 1 to level 7, indicating a progressive improvement in the patient's oral intake ability. In general, the result below level 6 indicates unsafe for oral intake while level 6 and above indicates that eating via mouth can be safely conducted.
Time frame: day 1 and day 20
Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study
Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study, which is considered as the "gold standard", swallowing process is divided into four periods: cognitive, oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal periods with a total score of 10 and a higher score indicates better swallowing ability (less dysphagia).
Time frame: day 1 and day 20
Murray secretion severity scale
Murray secretion severity scale is used for assessment of Pharyngeal secretion. The result was divided into 0-3 levels (0, normal; 1, a small amount of secretion remained and not entering the laryngeal vestibule; 2: temporary accumulation in the laryngeal vestibule; 3: persistent accumulation in the laryngeal vestibule. A higher score indicates the worse dysphagia.
Time frame: day 1 and day 20
Yale pharyngeal residue severity rating scale
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the patients in the observation group were provided with Stellate ganglion block, using 1.5ml of 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride (1ml: 0.5mg) and 500ug of Vitamin B12 (1ml: 0.5g). The percutaneous approach via the paratracheal route was used for Stellate ganglion block. The operator stood on the side of the block, instructed the patient to lie supine with a thin pillow placed below the shoulders, and tilted the head 45° towards the blocked side, fully exposing the neck. Then, routine disinfection of the neck skin was performed. The puncture site was located 2.5 cm above the sternoclavicular joint and 1.5 cm lateral to the midline of the neck.
The Yale pharyngeal residue severity rating scale was recruited for assessment of Pharyngeal residue.The result would be divided into 5 levels (1, no residue; 2, the covered pharyngeal mucosa; 3, mild residue, less than 50%; 4, moderate residue, more than 50%; 5, severe residue, spillage from laryngeal vestibule observed). A higher score indicates the worse dysphagia.
Time frame: day 1 and day 20