Expiratory Muscle Training in Stroke

Effect of Expiratory Muscle Training on Stomatognathic System in Patients With Stroke

Stroke affects the vital activities of daily living such as breathing and swallowing. After stroke excursion of the diaphragm reduces about 50%, and also the maximum expiratory pressure of the individual 50% or higher. Dysphagia occurs in 29% to 45% of the acute stroke cases.

As a third leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability, stroke still maintain its bad reputation in worldwide. Stroke owes its fame on wide range of symptoms mostly the musculoskeletal system symptoms such as spasticity, equilibrium and gait problems. Although mentioned symptoms keep their popularity devious two dysfunction caused by stroke; stomatognathic system dysfunction and respiratory dysfunction appears to change this equation. Considering the high incidence of dysphagia and the reduced cardiopulmonary capacity of the stroke patients, it seems inevitable. From this perspective aim of this study is to assess the effect of expiratory muscle training on the stomatognathic system in patients with stroke and as mentioned aid to shatter the mentioned equation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mini mental score is 24 or higher
• 55 years of age or higher
• Currently not taking respiratory muscle training
• Fonseca Questionnaire score is 20 or higher
• Onset of stroke is between 3 months and 5 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Developed dysphagia caused by other diseases rather than stroke
• Repetitive stroke story
• Cancer in head and neck region
• Abdominal or thoracic surgery story
• Existence of neurodegenerative disease