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A Nerve Block Therapy for Bulbar Palsy Pharyngeal Dysphagia

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Bulbar Palsy
Interventions
Procedure: Nerve Block
Procedure: placebo block
Behavioral: routine therapy
Registration Number
NCT06347250
Lead Sponsor
Babujinaya Cela
Brief Summary

This was a multicenter randomized controlled study. 66 post-stroke patients with pharyngeal dysphagia were randomly allocated to the observation group or the control group. Both groups were provided with comprehensive rehabilitation including routine rehabilitation and swallowing function training. Besides, the observation group additionally underwent the stellate ganglion block (SGB). At admission and after 20-day treatment,Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Functional Oral Intake Scale, and Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) were used to assess swallowing function.

Detailed Description

Dysphagia is a frequent and potentially serious complication of stroke. However, there is no effective measure for the treatment of pharyngeal dysphagia in stroke patients. This study aims to explore the efficacy of stellate ganglion block in post-stroke pharyngeal dysphagic patients who received comprehensive rehabilitation. This was a multicenter randomized controlled study. 66 post-stroke patients with pharyngeal dysphagia were randomly allocated to the observation group or the control group. Both groups were provided with comprehensive rehabilitation including routine rehabilitation and swallowing function training. Besides, the observation group additionally underwent the stellate ganglion block (SGB). At admission and after 20-day treatment,Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Functional Oral Intake Scale, and Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) were used to assess swallowing function.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
122
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with ischemic stroke according to the diagnostic criteria, with the stroke occurring in the medulla oblongata and diagnosed as bulbar palsy.
  • Upper Esophageal Sphincter did not open or opened ineffectively, with food residue or aspiration, revealed by Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study.
  • Age >18 years.
  • First-time stroke.
  • Steady vital signs,
  • Transferred or admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine within 15d after onset.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Allergy to Lidocaine injection or vitamin B12 injection;
  • Severe cognitive impairment;
  • Coagulation disorders;
  • Severe dysfunction of organs including heart, lungs, kidney, liver, etc.;
  • Complicated with other neurological diseases;
  • Dysphagia caused by other diseases or reasons.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Nerve blockNerve BlockThe patients were given Nerve block and routine therapy for 10 days.
Nerve blockroutine therapyThe patients were given Nerve block and routine therapy for 10 days.
placeboroutine therapyThe patients were given placebo block and routine therapy for 10 days.
placeboplacebo blockThe patients were given placebo block and routine therapy for 10 days.
Nerve blockLidocaine HydrochlorideThe patients were given Nerve block and routine therapy for 10 days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The Functional Oral Intake Scaleday 1 and day 10

The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) is a tool used to assess the level of independence in oral intake for individuals with swallowing difficulties. The scale ranges from Level 1 to Level 7, with higher Levels indicating better swallowing function.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Video fluoroscopic swallowing studyday 1 and day 10

The patient was required to take a sitting position with the head naturally upright. Under the guidance of the examiner, the patient first swallowed 5ml of iohexol solution (50ml:17.5g in iodine terms). If the patient exhibited aspiration, the test would stop. If not, the patient was instructed to swallow 10ml of iohexol solution mixed with breadcrumbs, and the patient's swallowing condition was observed with immediate measures ready to take for safety. Specially, the esophageal phase was not included in the study, because it was commonly regarded as an independent phase. The swallowing were divided into 3 phases in this assessment: Oral phase, Pharyngeal phase, and Aspiration, with maximum 3,3,4 points were given to each phase. The total score was calculated as the final result. The final score was positively correlated with the swallowing function.

Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scaleday 1 and day 10

The Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (Yale) was used to assess the severity of pharyngeal residue in patients. While PAS primarily evaluated whether food or liquid entered the airway, Yale focused on the condition of pharyngeal residue. The scale includes the four levels from 0 to 3, with lower levels indicating less severe pharyngeal residue.

The Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaireday 1 and day 10

The Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) is a tool designed to assess how swallowing difficulties impact an individual's quality of life. The questionnaire covers various aspects such as eating, speech, and social interaction to understand the challenges and effects of swallowing disorders on daily life.

SWAL-QOL scores can range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a better quality of life related to swallowing function. Therefore, a higher SWAL-QOL score reflects less negative impact of swallowing difficulties on an individual's overall quality of life, highlighting better adaptation to and management of swallowing issues.

penetration-aspiration scaleday 1 and day 10

this assessment evaluated the patient's swallowing of contrast medium and whether there was retention, penetration, and aspiration. It included multiple items, each with the corresponding criteria, Specifically, whether the swallowed material entered the airway, passed through or contacted the vocal cords, and whether the patient exhibited the corresponding ability to clear. There were 8 levels in the results, with higher levels indicating more severe aspiration.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

ZhenD No.1 Hos.

🇨🇳

Zhenzhou, China

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