Pre-emptive swallowing stimulation in long-term intubated patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of pre-emptive swallowing stimulation on the recovery of swallowing function in long-term intubated patients.


METHODS
Patients in the intensive care unit intubated for at least 48 hours due to respiratory distress from March to August 2004 were randomly divided into two groups. Fifteen patients of mean age 55.39+/-17.9 years were stimulated (experimental group) and 18 patients of mean age 61.39+/-13.5 years were not stimulated (control group). The duration of intubation was 15.59+/-6.7 days in the experimental group and 15.79+/-6.5 days in the control group. Duration of stimulation in the experimental group was 7.39+/-3.6 days. After extubation, we compared the severity of dysphagia via video-fluoroscopic swallow study.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of aspiration and the swallowed volume between the two groups. However, oral transit time in the experimental group (0.379+/-0.07 seconds) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (0.839+/-0.10 seconds), and the oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency of the experimental group (73.39+/-17.4%/s) was significantly higher than that of the control group (50.19+/-13.0%/s).


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-emptive swallowing stimulation during intubation assists in the recovery of swallowing function in long-term intubated patients.
Hwang
Chang Ho
CH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea. chhwang1220ciba@yahoo.co.kr
Choi
Kyoung Hyo
KH
Ko
Yoon Suk
YS
Leem
Chae Man
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording