Effect of Sour Liquid On Swallowing Function of the Patients With Stroke

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early administration of sour liquid on swallowing function of patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Hypothesis of the study were; H0: The sour liquid given early to patients with post-stroke dysphagia does not have an effect on swallowing function H1: The sour liquid given early to patients with post-stroke dysphagia has an effect on swallowing function The data of the study were collected using the "Personal Information Form," "Standard Swallowing Test," "Gagging Swallowing Screening Test (GUSS)," and the " National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)". Early administration of sour liquid to patients with post-stroke dysphagia was found to have a positive effect on swallowing function.

Background: Untreated and undetected swallowing disorders lead to increased morbidity and mortality in acute stroke patients due to inadequate nutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia leading to prolonged hospital stays, decreased functionality, and increased long-term care needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early administration of sour liquid on swallowing function of patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Materials and methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial, which was conducted with 95 patients with confirmed diagnosis of ischemic stroke and dysphagia, admitted to the neurology department of a university hospital. The intervention group (n=47) received 4 ml of room temperature lemon juice, while the control group (n=48) received 4 ml of room temperature water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a duration of 7 days. The Standard Swallowing Test, Gagging Swallowing Screen, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale were applied. Swallowing function and stroke severity were assessed at initial assessment, at the end of the 7th and 30th days.

4 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice with a pH of 2.8 at room temperature was administered under the supervision of the physician before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for patients with ischemic stroke. For patients with severe swallowing disorders according to the GUSS, lemon juice was administered using a syringe, drop by drop, at a volume of 4 ml over approximately 15-20 minutes, as tolerated by the patient, under the supervision of the physician. Patients with severe swallowing disorders were unable to swallow and consequently drooled the lemon juice out of their mouths. This procedure was continued for seven days.

4 ml of room temperature water was administered under the supervision of the physician before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For patients with severe swallowing disorders according to the GUSS, water was administered using a syringe, drop by drop, at a volume of 4 ml over approximately 15-20 minutes, as tolerated by the patient, under the supervision of the physician. Patients with severe swallowing disorders were unable to swallow and consequently drooled the water out of their mouths. This procedure was continued for seven days.

improve the swallowing disorders of patients who have experienced acute stroke through the administration of sour taste. patients in both the intervention and control groups underwent advanced swallowing assessments using the GUSS. Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS)consists of two parts including an indirect swallowing test with three subtests, and a direct swallowing test with four subtests. Evaluation is made on a scale of 0-20 as follows: 0-9 points indicate severe swallowing disorder with high risk of aspiration, 10-14 points indicate moderate swallowing disorder with moderate risk of aspiration, 15-19 points indicate mild swallowing disorder with low risk of aspiration, and 20 points indicate no swallowing disorder.

Inclusion Criteria: diagnosed with ischemic stroke, had not completed the first 72 hours after diagnosis, developed swallowing disorders, volunteered to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: diagnosed hemorrhagic stroke, had completed the first 72 hours after diagnosis, not developed swallowing disorders, not volunteered to participate in the study