Abstract: Objective To study the effect of early rehabilitation on dysphagia in the patients with acute stroke. Methods 126 patients with acute stroke were divided into 2 groups: rehabilitation group (n=63) and control group (n=63). The rehabilitation group was trained with the swallowing function immediately after inhospital. They were evaluated with the drinking water test before and a month after treatment. Results The swallowing function improved in the rehabilitation group (P<0.01), and the incidence of aspiration pneumonitis decreased (P<0.01) compared with those in the control group. Conclusion Early rehabilitation of dysphagia in the patients of acute stroke can improve the function of swallowing, and reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonitis.

Key words: acute stroke, dysphagia, early rehabilitation