Abstract: Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation on dysphagia after stroke at differentstage. Methods According to the randomized trial principle, 155 cases were divided into two groups: control group (n=80) and observationgroup (n=75). The control group was treated with rehabilitation training, and the observation group was treated with acupuncture and rehabilitationtraining, 5 times every week for 4 weeks. The two groups were assessed by TCM swallowing assessment scores and Kubota testbefore and after treatment. Results According to Kubota test, the total rate was 66.67% in the control group and 89.33% in the observationgroup with a significant difference between the groups (P<0.001). In the observation group, the total rate was 90.48% at acute stage and88.89% at the convalescence stage with a significant difference (P<0.01). According to TCM swallowing assessment, the total rate was64.00% in the control group and 74.67% in the observation group with no significant difference between the groups (P<0.05). In the observationgroup, the total rate was 90.48% at acute stage and 68.52% at the convalescence stage with a significant difference (P<0.001). ConclusionAcupuncture combined with rehabilitation facilitates to improve the swallowing function in stroke patients following dysphagia especiallyat acute stage.

Key words: stroke, dysphagia, acupuncture, rehabilitation, stage