Analysis of the Effect of Pulse-Feeling Acupuncture Combined with Submental Resistance Training and Feeding Training on Dysphagia in Patients After Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective To explore the efficacy of pulse-feeling acupuncture combined with submental resistance training and feeding training (referred to as combined therapy) in treating dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its effect on patients’ nutritional status. Methods A total of 60 patients who developed dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in our hospital were randomly divided into a rehabilitation training group (30 cases) and a combination group (30 cases). The rehabilitation training group received conventional rehabilitation training treatment, while the combination group received combined therapy. The clinical effect, nutritional status, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) score, Water Swallow Test (WST) score, esophageal upper sphincter opening assessed by videofluoroscopic swallowing study, and quality of life assessed by the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) were compared between the two groups. Results The FOIS scores in the combination group (5.46 ± 1.24) and the rehabilitation training group (4.21 ± 1.17) after treatment were both higher than before treatment (P < 0.05), with the combination group showing greater improvement (P < 0.05). The MDADI scores after treatment [(82.14 ± 6.54), (74.13 ± 5.39)] were also higher than those before treatment [(45.64 ± 8.72), (46.26 ± 8.67)] (P < 0.05), and the combination group showed better improvement than the rehabilitation training group (P < 0.05). The WST scores after treatment [(1.42 ± 0.38), (2.26 ± 0.74)] were lower than those before treatment [(3.56 ± 1.04), (3.58 ± 1.06)] (P < 0.05), and the combination group was lower than the rehabilitation training group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the esophageal upper sphincter opening and nutritional status of the two groups improved compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the combination group showed more significant improvement than the rehabilitation training group (P < 0.05). The total effective rates of the combination group and the rehabilitation training group were 96.67% and 73.33%, respectively, and the combination group was significantly higher than the rehabilitation training group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Combined therapy for patients with dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma can improve nutritional status, enhance quality of life, and significantly reduce dysphagia symptoms, as shown by improvements in FOIS, MDADI, and WST scores. Chinese Library Classification Number: R473.73; R739.63