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Introduction: Optimal treatment strategies for post-stroke dysphagia remain to be explored. Electroacupuncture has attracted widespread attention due to its simplicity, cheapness, and safety. However, the efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia lacks high-level evidence-based medical support. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical value of electroacupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.
Methods: A total of seven databases were searched for relevant literature. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on electroacupuncture alone or electroacupuncture combined with other interventions for the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia were assessed using the modified Jadad scale. The studies with a score of ≥4 were included. The quality of the included studies was then assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. The meta-analysis was performed using Rev. Man 5.3 software.
Results: Twelve studies involving 1,358 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that the electroacupuncture group was superior to the control group in terms of clinical response rate (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.97 to 3.53) and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) score (MD = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.29 to 1.16).
There was no significant difference between the two groups in the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) score (MD = -3.11, 95% CI = -6.45 to 0.23), Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) score (MD = -0.68, 95% CI = -2.78 to 1.41), Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) score (MD = 13.24, 95% CI = -7.74 to 34.21), or incidence of adverse events (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 0.73 to 3.38).
Conclusion: This study shows that electroacupuncture combined with conventional treatment or other interventions can significantly improve the clinical response rate and videofluoroscopic swallowing study score in patients with post-stroke dysphagia without increasing adverse reactions.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38125830/