Effects of Swallowing Training and Follow-up on the Problems Associated with Dysphagia in Patients with Stroke

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of poststroke swallowing training and follow-up on swallowing function, nutritional status, and the development of problems associated with dysphagia. METHOD: This study was designed as a single-group, pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental study and was conducted with 32 patients, who met the inclusion criteria for the study and were hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute stroke in the neurology clinic of a training and research hospital between June 2010 and September 2011. The patients were provided with swallowing training, followed up during meals, and given a training brochure. The Structured Information Form, the Standardized Mini Mental Test, the Barthel Index, and the Bedside Water Drinking Assessment Test were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed by the SPSS 16.0 program using descriptive and comparative statistical methods. TREND statement was followed for reporting. RESULTS: It was determined that there was a statistically highly significant difference (p < .01) between the mean total score of the bedside water drinking assessment test after training compared with before the swallowing training, the duration of eating shortened (p < .01), and the amount of food consumed increased (p < .01) in the first follow-up. It was determined that the patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 9.75 ± 3.44 days; and aspiration occurred in 9.4% of them during this period. It was observed that patients who developed aspiration had prior lung problems. CONCLUSION: It was observed that swallowing training decreased the duration of eating and increased the amount of food consumed in patients with stroke and resulting dysphagia. It was considered that the implementation of the training and the follow-up of swallowing function could be useful in preventing the development of problems.