Assigned randomly before the treatment, all patients were provided with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy as follows:

Basic treatment, including corresponding control of risk factors and education on healthy lifestyles.

Swallowing training, including lemon ice stimulation, mendelson maneuver, empty swallowing training, and pronunciation training.

Pulmonary function training, including standing training, cough training, and diaphragm muscle training.

The observation group was given enteral nutritional support with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube according to the following procedure. The feeding content was formulated by the nutritionists based on the condition and relevant guidelines to reach the energy demand as 20-25 kcal/kg/day and protein supplementation of 1.2-2.0 g/kg/day for both two groups

Assigned randomly before the treatment, all patients were provided with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy as follows:

Basic treatment, including corresponding control of risk factors and education on healthy lifestyles.

Swallowing training, including lemon ice stimulation, mendelson maneuver, empty swallowing training, and pronunciation training.

Pulmonary function training, including standing training, cough training, and diaphragm muscle training.

Besides, the control group was given enteral nutritional support with Nasogastric Tube according to the relevant guidelines. Within 4 hours after admission, the placement of the feeding tube was conducted by professional medical staffs and after intubation, the tube was secured to the cheek with medical tape. The feeding was conducted once every 3-4 hours, with 200-300ml each time. The total feeding volume was determined based on daily requirements.

Within 4 hours after admission, the placement of the feeding tube was conducted by professional medical staffs and after intubation, the tube was secured to the patient's cheek with medical tape. The feeding was conducted once every 3-4 hours, with 200-300ml each time. The total feeding volume was determined based on daily requirements. The feeding content was formulated by the nutritionists based on the patient's condition and relevant guidelines to reach the energy demand as 20-25 kcal/kg/day and protein supplementation of 1.2-2.0 g/kg/day for both two groups. For patients with limited tube feeding compliance, we made appropriate adjustments to ensure that they were not at risk of severe malnutrition as much as possible.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess the participants' anxiety and depression symptoms. The scale includes two subscales: anxiety and depression, each consisting of 7 items. Each item is scored from 0 to 3. The total score for each subscale could range between 0 and 21. A higher total score indicates more severe symptoms.

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Adult Profile was used to assess subjective social isolation This assessment includes 8 items, each scored between 1 and 5. The total score could range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating worse subjective social isolation.