Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of VitalStim electrical stimulation on disorder of swallowing function induced by stroke.Methods60 patients with disorder of swallowing function after stroke were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the treatment group were treated by VitalStim electrical stimulation and swallowing exercise and the cases of the control group were treated by swallowing exercise only. All patients were evaluated with the standard of swallowing exercise effect reported by Tengdao-Lang (Japan) before and after treatment.ResultsAfter treatment, the total recovery rate of the treatment group was 93.3%, that of the control group was 66.7%, there was a significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05).ConclusionThe effect of VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing exercise on disorder of swallowing function induced by stroke is better than swallowing exercise only.

Key words: stroke, disorder of swallowing function, VitalStim electrical stimulation, swallowing exercise