ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026LB39 EFFECTS OF TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION COMBINED WITH RESPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING ON DYSPHAGIA REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract Background and aims To investigate the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with respiratory muscle training (RMT) on swallowing function recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia following acute cerebral infarction. Methods This single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 120 patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated by dysphagia. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups: combined intervention group (tDCS+RMT, n=40), tDCS group (n=40), and conventional therapy group (n=40). All groups received standard swallowing rehabilitation for 4 weeks. The combined group additionally received anodal tDCS (2mA, 20min/session) over the pharyngeal motor cortex and RMT using threshold inspiratory-expiratory devices. Outcomes were assessed using the Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS), Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and maximum inspiratory/expiratory pressures (MIP/MEP) at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post-intervention. Results The combined intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in VDS scores (p<0.001), PAS scores (p=0.003), and FOIS levels (p<0.001) compared to both control groups. MIP and MEP increased significantly in the combined group (p<0.001). The incidence of aspiration pneumonia was lowest in the combined group (5.0% vs. 17.5% vs. 22.5%, p=0.042). Conclusions tDCS combined with RMT significantly enhances swallowing function recovery and reduces aspiration risk in patients with post-stroke dysphagia, representing a promising multimodal rehabilitation approach. Conflict of interest