Objective To observe the clinical effect of vitalstim electroacupuncture(EA)combined with swallowing rehabilitation training in the treatment of stroke patients with dysphagia.Methods A total of 80 stroke patients with dysphagia were randomized into treatment and control groups(n=40in each group).Patients of the control group were treated by regular medication for anti-platelet aggregation and anti-coagulation

lipid-lowering

neuroprotection

blood glucose control and blood pressure control

etc.and swallowing function rehabilitation training

and those of the treatment group treated by EA stimulation of Fengchi(GB 20)

Jinjin(EX-HN 12)and Yuye(EX-HN 13)with a Vitalstim Electrostimulator and manual acupuncture stimulation of Lianquan(CV 23)

Tiantu(CV 22)in combination with regular medication plus swallowing function training as those mentioned in the control group.The EA and manual acupuncture stimulation treatment was conducted once daily

6times a week and 4weeks altogether. The therapeutic effect was assessed by using Kubota swallowing ability test(6levels)

dysphagia subscale(0-6scores)of the neurological deficit degrees

videofluorography(VFG)assessment(markedly effective

effective and invalid

for evaluating the function and symmetry state of the swallowing movements)

and the MOS Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36

8minor items of two major aspects in physiological function

mental health

emotional function

social function and overall health)for assessing the patients' daily-life quality.Results After the treatment

the dysphagia score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).VFG outcomes showed that

of the two 40 patients in the control and treatment groups

16 and 23experienced a marked improvement

20 and 15were effective

4and 2were ineffective

with the markedly effective rate being 40.0% and 57.5%

respectively.The daily-life quality scores for physiological function

mental health

emotional function

social function and overall health were all notably increased after the treatment in both groups

particularly in the treatment group(P<0.05).The therapeutic effects of the treatment group were remarkably superior to those of the control group in improving dysphagia(showed by dysphagia score and VFG outcomes)and life quality.Conclusion EA treatment combined with swallowing function rehabilitation training is effective in improving swallowing ability and daily-life quality in stroke patients with dysphagia.