Effect of TDCS Combined with Intraoral Electrical Stimulation

Analysis of the Therapeutic Effect of TDCS Combined with Intraoral Electrical Stimulation on Dysphagia After Pontine Infarction

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with intraoral electrical stimulation in patients with dysphagia after pontine infarction. Methods: This prospective study enrolled a total of 90 patients with dysphagia due to pontine infarction from October 2022 to November 2024, and they were divided into three groups according to the treatment method: control group A, control group B, and experimental group C. Control group A was given intraoral induction electrical stimulation, control group B was given transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and experimental group C was given tDCS combined with intraoral induction electrical stimulation. The three groups were compared in terms of efficacy, modified Waffield Drinking Water Test Score (MWST), Penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Hyoid-Larynx Complex mobility, maximum amplitude of surface electromyography, and swallowing time.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with dysphagia (able to cooperate with swallowing assessment) and consistent with the criteria of the "Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke 2018"[9] or pontine infarction by clinical imaging examination;
• Age≥18 years or ≤80 years;
• The modified water swallow test (MWST) score is 3-5[10] or the Functional Oral Intake Scale score <4

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those who are intolerant to electrical stimulation or allergic to auxiliary electrodes;
• Patients with implanted pacemakers, metal stents in the neck, or other reasons that cannot be treated with electrical stimulation;
• Patients who are critically ill or unable to cooperate with the assessment and treatment of patients with dysphagia due to other reasons.