[Treatment and rehabilitation of dysphagia following cerebrovascular disease]

Rev Neurol. 2014 Mar 16;58(6):259-67.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Bronchopneumonia is a frequent complication in the first days after a cerebrovascular disease and is linked with a higher rate of mortality. It occurs in patients with an altered level of consciousness or tussigenic reflex, and could be prevented with an early dysphagia rehabilitation programme. AIMS. To review the scientific literature on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with dysphagia after suffering a stroke, published between 2002 and 2012. DEVELOPMENT. A search conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, CINAHL and ENFISPO databases yielded 15 papers that fulfilled eligibility criteria and the initial aims of the study, providing information about 3,212 patients. The different protocols and techniques for re-education in dysphagia are described and include compensatory strategies, orofacial regulation therapy, music therapy, sensory stimulation, lip muscle, tongue, pharynx, larynx and respiratory tract training, Mendelsohn manoeuvre, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS. The studies examined in this research claim that the treatment of dysphagia following a stroke can improve the function of deglutition (coordination, speed, volume), quality of life and people's social relationships. Further work needs to be carried out to establish or define what kind of therapies, techniques, exercises or manoeuvres are the most effective in dysphagia. Generally agreed treatment or rehabilitation protocols also need to be drawn up within units that address stroke in an integrated manner.

Title: Tratamiento y rehabilitacion de la disfagia tras enfermedad cerebrovascular.

Introduccion. La bronconeumonia es una complicacion frecuente en los primeros dias despues de una enfermedad cerebrovascular y se asocia con una mayor tasa de mortalidad. Se produce en pacientes con el nivel de conciencia o el reflejo tusigeno alterado, y podria prevenirse con un programa temprano de rehabilitacion de la disfagia. Objetivo. Revisar la literatura cientifica en relacion con el tratamiento y rehabilitacion de pacientes con disfagia tras sufrir un ictus, entre 2002 y 2012. Desarrollo. Las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, CINAHL y ENFISPO ofrecieron 15 articulos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusion y los objetivos planteados, con informacion sobre 3.212 pacientes. Se describen distintos protocolos y tecnicas para la reeducacion de la disfagia, como estrategias compensatorias, terapia de regulacion orofacial, musicoterapia, estimulacion sensorial, entrenamiento muscular labial, de la lengua, faringe, laringe y aparato respiratorio, maniobra de Mendelsohn, estimulacion electrica neuromuscular, estimulacion magnetica transcraneal repetitiva y acupuntura. Conclusiones. Los estudios incluidos en esta investigacion afirman que el tratamiento de la disfagia tras ictus puede mejorar la funcion deglutoria (coordinacion, velocidad, volumen), la calidad de vida y las relaciones sociales de las personas. Existe una labor pendiente para establecer o definir que tipo de terapias, tecnicas, ejercicios o maniobras son los mas eficaces en la disfagia, y para elaborar protocolos de tratamiento o rehabilitacion consensuados dentro de las unidades que abordan integralmente el ictus.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / complications*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Deglutition Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy*
  • Humans