Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluated the effect of swallowing training and acupuncture on dysphagia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.MethodsThirty-eight post-radiotherapeutic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were divided into 2 groups: comprehensive group (n=20) were treated with swallowing training and acupuncture therapy, acupuncture group (n=18) were treated with acupuncture only. The patients were assessed with water-swallow test and videofluoroscopy (VFS) before and after treatment.ResultsBoth groups improved their score of water-swallow test after treatment (P<0.01), but the scores of comprehensive group were better than that of acupuncture group(P<0.05).Under the VFS, the cure rate was 70.0% or 38.9% respectively(P=0.089). ConclusionSwallowing training can improve the swallow ability of bulbar palsy patients.

Key words: nasopharyngeal carcinoma, dysphagia, swallowing training, acupuncture