Publication:

Physiotherapy interventions for stroke-related dysphagia - a systematic review

Dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing, affects over half of stroke survivors, leading to severe complications such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration. Physiotherapy interventions, including swallowing exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), respiratory muscle training, and compensatory strategies, show potential in improving swallowing function. This systematic review consolidates the evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in stroke-related dysphagia. A systematic review was conducted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were retrieved from databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. The review analyzed various physiotherapy interventions and their impact on swallowing function and aspiration risk. Results indicate that interventions such as chin tuck against resistance (CTAR), NMES, and respiratory muscle training significantly improve swallowing safety and function. A combination of multiple strategies yielded better results than single interventions. This study highlights the importance of individualized physiotherapy management in stroke-related dysphagia rehabilitation.