Dan Liu^1,2, Rachana KC ^1,2,3, Wenhui Wang^1,2,3, Yuanzhen Yang⁴, Shu Wang^5,6, Zhang Lili^1,2, Unita Shrestha ^1,2,3

¹Department of Acupuncture, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China

²National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China

³Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China

⁴Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China

⁵Key Laboratory of Cerebropathy Acupuncture Therapy of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China

⁶Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, China

Corresponding Author 1: Shu Wang, Key Laboratory of Cerebropathy Acupuncture Therapy of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, China

Corresponding Author 2: Rachana KC, Acupuncture Department, The First Hospital affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 314 West Anshan Avenue, Tianjin, PR China.

Citation: Dan Liu, Rachana KC, Wenhui Wang, Yuanzhen Yang, Shu Wang, Zhang Lili, Unita Shrestha (2025). Acupuncture Can Promote the Rehabilitation of Swallowing Function in Post-Stroke Dysphagia and Improve the Success Rate of Nasogastric Tube Removal. American J Case Rep Clin Imag. 2025; September, 3(1),1-6.

Copyrights © 2025, Shu Wang, Rachana KC, et al., This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-4.0-International-License-(CCBY-NC) (https://americanjournalofcasereports.com/blogpage/copyright-policy). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes require written permission.

Abstract:

Background: Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) is a common complication occurring in 37% to 78% of stroke cases. In the acute phase, many patients with PSD require nasogastric (NG) tube intervention; however, long-term enteral feeding can lead to various complications, including mucosal edema in the nasal passages, pharynx, and esophagus, as well as atrophy of the pharyngeal muscle due to lack of use. Previous clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can improve the swallowing function in patients following a stroke. Nevertheless, no prior study has investigated the effect of acupuncture treatment specifically on the removal of nasogastric tubes. In the present study, we investigate the removal rate of NG tubes in patients with PSD who receive acupuncture treatment. We also analyze clinical data to identify factors associated with successfully removing nasogastric tubes.

Methods: We gathered clinical data from patients with PSD between November 2012 and June 2015. All enrolled patients underwent a four-week course of acupuncture treatment during their hospital stay. A range of clinical data were analyzed both during hospitalization and throughout a five-month follow-up period. The primary outcome measure was the rate of NG tube removal, while the secondary outcomes included factors influencing the removal of the NG tube.

Results: We recruited 330 patients with PSD; among them, 89 received an NG tube upon admission and were followed up over a five-month period. In 40 patients, the NG tube was removed four weeks after treatment; in another 71 patients, the NG tube was removed five months after treatment. The total tube removal rate was 79.76%, with a median duration of treatment lasting 31 (inter-quartile range: 22 - 50) days. Logistic multi-factor regression analysis revealed that the Modified Barthel Index (mBI) score significantly influenced the likelihood of NG tube removal following acupuncture treatment (P=0.046).

Conclusion: Compared with other rehabilitation methods reported in the previous literature, acupuncture may help promote the recovery of swallowing function after stroke and improve the extubation rate.

Keywords: Dysphagia; Acupuncture; Stroke; Gastric Tube Removal Rate and Modified Barthel Index.