K-point stimulation combined with temperature-differential herbal oral care in improving post-stroke dysphagia

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of K-point stimulation combined with temperature-differential herbal oral care in improving swallowing function.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients treated between January 2022 and December 2023 were divided into a control group (routine care) and an observation group (routine care plus K-point stimulation combined with temperature-differentiated herbal oral care). After applying exclusion criteria and 1:1 propensity score matching, 85 patients were included in each group and followed for six months. The primary endpoint was the time to achieve a 3-point improvement on the Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS).

Results

The observation group demonstrated a significantly shorter median recovery time of 78 days (95 % CI: 62–96) compared to 96 days (95 % CI: 85–129) in the control group (HR = 2.351; 95 % CI: 1.688–3.276; P < 0.001). Clinical improvement in swallowing was achieved in 91.76 % of the observation group versus 81.18 % of the control group (P = 0.036), and good functional recovery at six months was observed in 85.88 % versus 70.59 % (P = 0.012). At the six-month follow-up, serum albumin and total protein levels were significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Multivariable Cox regression confirmed the intervention’s efficacy (HR = 2.641; 95 % CI: 1.860–3.750; P < 0.001). Adverse events, including nausea, vomiting, pulmonary infections, and stroke recurrence, showed no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

K-point stimulation combined with temperature-differential herbal oral care is an effective and safe intervention for improving swallowing function and long-term outcomes in post-stroke dysphagia.

Clinical evidence

These findings highlight a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.