Effect of Feeding Method with Repeated Insertions of Naso-gastric Tubes for Stroke Patients

Abstract

Some researchers reported that the feeding method with repeated insertions of naso-gastric tubes was useful for the patients with dysphagia. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this swallowing exercise for patients with dysphagia caused by cerebral infarction or bleeding. Between January 2002 and March 2003, we applied this method to 7 stroke patients with dysphagia. The patient median age was 67 years (age range,57-82 years). There were 5 males and 2 females. Eventually, all 7 patients were able to eat orally. The feeding method with repeated insertions of naso-gastric tubes was considered to be useful for stroke patients with dysphagia.