Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionDysphagia following a stroke is a common complication that significantly impacts patients’ daily living abilities. Acupuncture has been reported to effectively alleviate post-stroke dysphagia and enhance patients’ quality of life. This study aims to compare the effects of purpose-directe...

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Main Authors: Yan-Qiang Qin, Ying-Chun Sun, Xian-Kuan Cheng, Hai-Jiang Yao, Shao-Hong Li, Zheng-Fan Yang, Tao Zheng, Da-Peng Li, Ling-Yong Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1565514/full
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author Yan-Qiang Qin
Ying-Chun Sun
Xian-Kuan Cheng
Hai-Jiang Yao
Shao-Hong Li
Zheng-Fan Yang
Tao Zheng
Da-Peng Li
Ling-Yong Xiao
author_facet Yan-Qiang Qin
Ying-Chun Sun
Xian-Kuan Cheng
Hai-Jiang Yao
Shao-Hong Li
Zheng-Fan Yang
Tao Zheng
Da-Peng Li
Ling-Yong Xiao
author_sort Yan-Qiang Qin
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionDysphagia following a stroke is a common complication that significantly impacts patients’ daily living abilities. Acupuncture has been reported to effectively alleviate post-stroke dysphagia and enhance patients’ quality of life. This study aims to compare the effects of purpose-directed acupuncture (PDA) schemes and conventional acupuncture schemes on post-stroke dysphagia using surface electromyography.MethodsA randomized single-blind controlled study design was employed, where eligible post-stroke dysphagia patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and control group. Both groups received 4 weeks of treatment based on either PDA or conventional acupuncture in addition to regular dysphagia rehabilitation training. After treatment, patients’ Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores, Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) scores, and surface electromyography of swallowing muscles were assessed.ResultsThe study included a total of 58 subjects, with 29 in each treatment group and control group. Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed a significant increase in FOIS scores and a decrease in SSA scores. Surface electromyography results indicated that patients in the treatment group had significantly increased Aemg and Iemg values in the submental muscle group compared to the control group.ConclusionPDA schemes may serve as a more effective treatment approach for post-stroke dysphagia, particularly showing advantages in improving submental muscle strength.Clinical trial registrationThe protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100053597).
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spelling doaj-art-1aab1067ffcf47a6a668f05904bfaa1b2025-08-20T03:22:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-05-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15655141565514Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trialYan-Qiang Qin0Ying-Chun Sun1Xian-Kuan Cheng2Hai-Jiang Yao3Shao-Hong Li4Zheng-Fan Yang5Tao Zheng6Da-Peng Li7Ling-Yong Xiao8School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Treatment Center of TCM, Beijing Bo’ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaIntroductionDysphagia following a stroke is a common complication that significantly impacts patients’ daily living abilities. Acupuncture has been reported to effectively alleviate post-stroke dysphagia and enhance patients’ quality of life. This study aims to compare the effects of purpose-directed acupuncture (PDA) schemes and conventional acupuncture schemes on post-stroke dysphagia using surface electromyography.MethodsA randomized single-blind controlled study design was employed, where eligible post-stroke dysphagia patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and control group. Both groups received 4 weeks of treatment based on either PDA or conventional acupuncture in addition to regular dysphagia rehabilitation training. After treatment, patients’ Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores, Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) scores, and surface electromyography of swallowing muscles were assessed.ResultsThe study included a total of 58 subjects, with 29 in each treatment group and control group. Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed a significant increase in FOIS scores and a decrease in SSA scores. Surface electromyography results indicated that patients in the treatment group had significantly increased Aemg and Iemg values in the submental muscle group compared to the control group.ConclusionPDA schemes may serve as a more effective treatment approach for post-stroke dysphagia, particularly showing advantages in improving submental muscle strength.Clinical trial registrationThe protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100053597).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1565514/fullacupuncturepost-stroke dysphagiapurpose-directed acupuncturerandomized controlled trialsurface electromyography
spellingShingle Yan-Qiang Qin
Ying-Chun Sun
Xian-Kuan Cheng
Hai-Jiang Yao
Shao-Hong Li
Zheng-Fan Yang
Tao Zheng
Da-Peng Li
Ling-Yong Xiao
Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial
Frontiers in Medicine
acupuncture
post-stroke dysphagia
purpose-directed acupuncture
randomized controlled trial
surface electromyography
title Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial
title_full Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial
title_short Effect of purpose-directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography: a randomized controlled trial
title_sort effect of purpose directed acupuncture on the pharyngeal phase in stroke patients with dysphagia based on surface electromyography a randomized controlled trial
topic acupuncture
post-stroke dysphagia
purpose-directed acupuncture
randomized controlled trial
surface electromyography
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1565514/full
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