Factors Affecting Recovery from Dysphagia after Stroke

Abstract

The present study investigated whether patients’ swallowing ability was associated with recovery from dysphagia after stroke.

This study included 39 acute stroke patients (21 males and 18 females) who were referred for dysphagia rehabilitation, could communicate, and agreed to participate in the study. Swallowing ability was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) at the start of the speech-language-hearing therapist (ST) intervention and the 30th day. The patients were divided into the following two groups: the swallowing recovered group and the unchanged or fallen group. Patients’ motivation was evaluated using the apathy scale.

Thirty-one patients’ swallowing improved and 8 patients’ swallowing deteriorated or remained unchanged. No significant difference were observed between the two groups in age, primary diseases, medical history of stroke, Activity of Daily Living (ADL), quadriplegia, Japan Coma Scale (JCS), results of blood tests, number of days before ST began, the number of days of fasting, aspiration pneumonitis, or depression score. In the unchanged or fallen group, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly higher on admission. In the recovered group, the motivation was significantly higher at the time when ST intervention began.

On multivariate analysis, BMI and patients’ motivation were significant predictors of recovery from dysphagia. It was suggested that patients’ motivation affects recovery from dysphagia.