Study lasts 15 days for each patient. The patients were given comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. The observation group was provided the support of enteral nutrition by Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding. Diaphragm Training will be given twice a day and 30min per time.

Study lasts 15 days for each patient. The patients were given comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. The observation group was provided the support of enteral nutrition by Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding.

Before each feeding, inside and outside of the tube was cleaned with water. During feeding, the patient should maintain a semi-reclining or sitting position with mouth opened, and the tube was inserted slowly and smoothly into the upper part of the esophagus by medical staffs while the appropriate depth of intubation was checked with the calibration markings on the tube wall. The distance from the incisors to the head part of the tube should be between 22-25 cm. However, the specific depth should be evaluated based on patients' feedback and adjusted accordingly. After insertion, the tail part of the tube should be put into a container full of water and the absence of continuous bubbles indicated a successful intubation. Then, the feeding was to be conducted three times per day with 50 ml per minute and 400-600ml for each feeding.

The Penetration-Aspiration Scale was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. The scale is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration.

The scale reflects the patient's oral intake. Studies have shown that this scale can also serve as an independent measure of intake for post-stroke dysphagia patients. The scale is divided into 7 levels, with the level positively correlated with swallowing function. Level 7 indicates normal swallowing function.