Acupuncture Combined With Swallowing Training for Poststroke Dysphagia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Acupuncture in Medicine
Li, L. X., & Deng, K. (2019).
Acupuncture in Medicine, 37(2), 81-90.
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examines the efficacy and safety of combined acupuncture and swallowing training compared to swallowing training alone in adults with stroke-induced dysphagia.
Medical Association of Sichuan Province (China); Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province (China)
up to June 16, 2016
Randomized controlled trials
17
In individuals with stroke-induced dysphagia, the combination of acupuncture and swallowing training yielded positive effects when compared with swallowing treatment alone for the following outcomes:
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<li>overall clinical effectiveness (RR= 1.26, 95% CI= 1.19 to 1.34; 15 studies),</li>
<li>swallowing function assessment (SMD= 1.06, 95% CI= 0.79 to 1.32; 9 studies), and</li>
<li>individual's measure of their activities of daily living (SMD= 1.47, 95% CI= 1.07 to 1.87; one study).</li>
</ul>
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<div>There was no significant effect for quality of life. Furtehr research is indicated due to significant heterogeneity between studies, observed publication bias in the included studies, and a lack of reporting for long-term effects. </div>
