Effect of Mendelsohn Maneuver, Effortful Swallow Training, and the Shaker Exercise on Swallowing Ability Among Dysphagic Patients With Cerebrovascular Accident; Randomized Controlled Trial

Stroke is a significant global challenge for healthcare personnel, as it is a leading cause of disability and death globally. (1) There are two primary categories of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Stroke results in functional disabilities, with 15-30% of individuals experiencing persistent impairments for the duration of their lives. (2) Stroke is the foremost life-threatening and significant neurological ailment that causes disability, According to predictions from the World Health Organization (WHO), strokes will become the second most common cause of death, behind ischemic heart disease, in both developed and developing nations by 2020. (3) From a clinical standpoint, stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to either a blockage in the main blood vessels produced by thromboembolism or the bursting of arteries. The majority of strokes, over 85%, are ischemic in nature, resulting from the obstruction of brain arteries due to thrombotic or embolic occlusion. (4) Neurogenic Dysphagia is a condition where the complex and integrated sensory system is impaired. It commonly affects individuals with various neurological diseases, particularly acute stroke. (5) Dysphagia, in fact, is a highly perilous outcome of stroke that can result in lung infections and even mortality among stroke patients. Hence, it is important to conduct accurate screening, diagnosis, and treatment of dysphagia in patients with acute stroke in order to enhance their quality of life and perhaps mitigate the risk of mortality. (6)