Biofeedback as an Adjunctive Treatment for Post-stroke Dysphagia
Dysphagia, Rehabilitation, Stroke
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Dysphagia focused on measuring dysphagia, stroke, biofeedback, rehabilitation, randomized controlled study
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- first stroke injury
- onset from more than six weeks
- presence of dysphagia
- good comprehension ( not below PT 53 in Token Test)
- good eyesight and hearing, or adequately corrected
Exclusion Criteria:
- All the elements that hinder a good recording of the electromyographic signal (for instance a cutaneous infection, a wound or a dermatitis in the submandibular area);
- Severe concomitant illnesses (fever, infections, metabolic problems, serious cardiac insufficiency) that can influence patient's collaboration;
- Serious dystonia or unintentional movements
- presence of disorders of consciousness;
- encephalopathy due to multiple infarcts;
- inability to sustain the experimental treatment;
- other neurological diseases (for example Parkinson disease)
Sites / Locations
- Sara NordioRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Biofeedback
Conventional
Each participant will attend 5 sessions per week for a total duration of 4 weeks. The duration of each session will take 1 hour, including bio-feedback preparation. At the beginning of the bio-feedback session, two surface electrodes will be applied to the mylohyoid muscle. The patient will be required to swallow at a given time, with food bolus if possible, and perform maneuvers that favour swallowing strength and efficacy: effortful swallow, specific task for timing and coordination, Masako maneuver. The experimental group will perform this training for 45 minutes, plus they will receive a verbal feedback from the speech and language therapist in relation to the efficacy of the performance.
Each participant will attend 5 sessions per week for a total duration of 4 weeks. The patient will be required to swallow at a given time, with food bolus if possible, and perform maneuvers that favour swallowing strength and efficacy: effortful swallow, specific task for timing and coordination, Masako maneuver. The control group will perform this training for 45 minutes, with a verbal feedback from the speech and language therapist in relation to the efficacy of the performance.