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Effect of an individualized digital coaching program on swallowing function in stroke patients

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Abstract

Purpose

Dysphagia is a common complication after a stroke. Home-based rehabilitation would be an alternative or complementary solution to dysphagia management. This study aimed to validate the effect of an individualized digital coaching program on swallowing function in stroke patients.

Methods

A total of 109 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (received a 6-week individualized digital coaching program) or the control group (standard care). The primary outcome was a functional oral intake scale (FOIS). The secondary outcomes were the swallowing quality-of-life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) and pneumonia.

Results

Among 101 patients, the number of patients who recovered from dysphagia in the intervention group was significantly more than that of the control group at three weeks. Concurrently, the comparison between the control and intervention groups was non-significant at six weeks. The change in the swallowing quality-of-life questionnaire of the intervention group was significantly more significant than that of the control group. No significant difference in the incidence of pneumonia was observed.

Conclusion

The individualized digital coaching program can improve swallowing function and swallowing quality-of-life (SWAL-QOL) in stroke patients, indicating its potential for home-based rehabilitation.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my supervisor, HL L, for her guidance through each stage of the study. My research partner, YS S, was instrumental in defining the path of my study. This work was funded by The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program of Jiangsu Province [grant number JSSCBS20210895].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China

    Zhuo Wang

  2. Department of Operating Room, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

    Xiaoping Dai

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

    Chao Wu

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  1. Zhuo Wang
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  2. Xiaoping Dai
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  3. Chao Wu
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Correspondence to Chao Wu.

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Zhuo Wang and Xiaoping Dai contributed equally to this work.

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Wang, Z., Dai, X. & Wu, C. Effect of an individualized digital coaching program on swallowing function in stroke patients. Acta Neurol Belg 123, 963–969 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-022-02153-2

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